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When a Goya vanishes from the National Gallery in 1961, a baffling trail of ransom notes, false leads and eccentric suspects unravels one of Britain’s oddest art heists.

Iain takes us back to the swinging 60s to revisit the theft of a portrait that had been hanging in London’s National Gallery for just 19 days before it vanished.

At first, no one believes it’s been stolen – but when a handwritten ransom note arrives, detectives are forced to take the case seriously.

Iain uncovers how this case baffled police for years and eventually ended up inspiring a film starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren!

Murder They Wrote with Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling is available twice a week on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Got a case or story for us? Email lauraandiain@bbc.co.uk.

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38 minutes

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