Fact Check: The gold toilet heist at Blenheim Palace occurred in September 2019, shortly after a launch party for the artwork entitled 'America' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan.

Fact Check: "The gold toilet heist at Blenheim Palace occurred in September 2019, shortly after a launch party for the artwork entitled 'America' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan."

What We Know

The claim that the gold toilet heist at Blenheim Palace occurred in September 2019, shortly after a launch party for the artwork "America" by Maurizio Cattelan, is supported by multiple credible sources. The heist took place on September 14, 2019, just hours after a launch party for the artwork, which is a fully functioning toilet made of 18-karat gold. This artwork was part of a larger exhibition of Cattelan's works at Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (BBC, Wikipedia).

The heist was executed in a remarkably short time frame, with reports indicating it took no more than five-and-a-half minutes for the thieves to break in and remove the toilet (BBC). The artwork was valued at approximately £4.8 million at the time of the theft, and it was plumbed into the palace's plumbing system, which added to the complexity of the theft (ArtNews, ABC News).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple reputable news outlets and official reports. The timing of the heist, occurring shortly after the launch party for "America," is confirmed by both the BBC and Wikipedia, which detail the events surrounding the theft. The BBC article provides a detailed account of the heist, including the involvement of the thieves and the aftermath of the crime, which further corroborates the timeline of events.

Additionally, the artwork "America" was specifically designed to be a participatory piece, allowing visitors to use the toilet, which may have contributed to the lack of security measures in place (Wikipedia). The credibility of the sources is high, as they include established news organizations like the BBC and ABC News, which have a track record of accurate reporting.

However, it is important to note that while the claim is supported by reliable sources, some articles may have varying details regarding the specifics of the heist and the subsequent legal proceedings against the perpetrators. Nonetheless, the core claim about the timing of the heist in relation to the launch party is consistent across the board.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the gold toilet heist at Blenheim Palace occurred in September 2019, shortly after a launch party for the artwork "America" by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the timeline and details surrounding the event.

Sources

1. Gold toilet: Two men jailed for £4.8m Blenheim Palace heist
2. America (Cattelan)
3. Gold toilet: Two men guilty over £4.8m Blenheim Palace heist
4. Two Men Sentenced for Stealing Maurizio Cattelan's Golden Toilet
5. Two men jailed for stealing golden toilet from Winston Churchill's birthplace
6. Two men jailed for their roles in theft of £4.75m gold toilet
7. Men who stole $6 million golden toilet from English mansion
8. Maurizio Cattelan's $6 Million Golden Toilet Stolen from Blenheim Palace