In what U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called “a joyful ending,” a Stradivarius violin has been returned to the family of the late Roman Totenberg, who once played for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His daughter is NPR journalist Nina Totenberg.

Roman Totenberg, father of Nina Totenberg. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Roman Totenberg, father of Nina Totenberg. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
The rare instrument — now valued at $5 million — had been missing 35 years, taken from Roman’s office. He died in 2012.

“This is a remarkable story of a quick-witted violin appraiser who recognized the long-lost Ames Stradivarius and immediately called law enforcement,” Bharara said. “Thanks to the violin appraiser’s good citizenship and law enforcement’s prompt response, today we celebrate the Totenberg family’s reunion with a priceless family heirloom, thought for decades to have been lost forever.”

Newsweek reported that he thief’s ex-wife recently found the violin while cleaning her house and took it to an appraiser, who made the connection.

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