Long-lost bust of legendary Doors frontman Jim Morrison found by chance

A long-lost memorial bust of The Doors’ legendary frontman Jim Morrison has been recovered 37 years after it was stolen, French police said.

A long-lost memorial bust of The Doors’ legendary frontman Jim Morrison has been recovered 37 years after it was stolen, French police said.

Crafted in 1981 by Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Morrison’s death, the bust was defaced with graffiti and messages by fans at gravesite in Paris’ Père Lachaise Cemetery, which is also the final resting place of French singer Edith Piaf and the Irish author, poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde.

The bust at Jim Morrison's gravesite in Paris, 1985.Laurent Maous / Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesSeven years later someone took it from the cemetery, which has become a pilgrimage for fans of Morrison, who was known for his dark lyrics, wavy locks, leather pants and theatrical stage presence.

The singer propelled The Doors to several major hits between 1965 and 1967, including “Light My Fire,” “Hello I Love You,” “Touch Me” and “Riders on the Storm.”

Almost four decades on and the sculpture was found during an unrelated search, France's Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade said in a statement on Instagram Friday.