Man Who Stole Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers Dies Before Trial
The story has all the makings of a Hollywood heist — a priceless artifact, a shadowy network, and a cast of characters connected by secrets. But the final twist wasn't a dramatic courtroom confession or a surprise verdict. It was silence. Jerry Hal Saliterman, the Minnesota man federally indicted in connection with the theft of Judy Garland's iconic ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz," died before his case ever made it to trial.
The Heist in Garland's Hometown
In 2005, the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota — a city where Garland lived as a child — proudly displayed a piece of cinematic history: a sparkling pair of ruby slippers worn by Garland in the 1939 film. The shoes, one of only four known surviving pairs, were on loan by private collector Michael Shaw.
That August, a thief shattered the display glass with a hammer and vanished into the night with the slippers. The only thing left behind was a single red sequin.
The crime puzzled investigators and devastated fans of the classic film. For over a decade, the case remained cold — until 2018, when the FBI announced that, thanks to a sting operation, the slippers had been recovered.
A Curious Chain
Authorities ultimately arrested Terry Jon Martin, now 78, for the theft. Martin said he believed that the sequins were real rubies worth a fortune, but that turned out to be incorrect. Once he realized the gems were fake, he allegedly passed the slippers off to someone he trusted: Jerry Hal Saliterman.
The FBI traced the shoes to Saliterman, who was then indicted for theft of a major artwork and witness tampering. Prosecutors say he concealed the shoes and later even threatened a woman who discovered his involvement with the release of sex tapes to stop her from cooperating with the FBI.
In the years since his indictment, Saliterman's health declined rapidly. By early 2024, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, chronic lung problems, and sepsis. He appeared in court in a wheelchair and used oxygen to breathe. His January hearing to change his plea to "guilty" was delayed indefinitely as his condition worsened.
An Unfinished Chapter
Saliterman died in March 2025, just days before his scheduled court appearance. His cause of death was not released publicly. With no conviction, the case against him was officially dismissed by a federal judge the next day.
As for Martin, he pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced to time served due to his own health issues. He's currently in hospice care.
The ruby slippers — the very ones that once promised Dorothy a way home — are now home themselves. In February 2024, they were quietly returned to their rightful owner during a closed-door ceremony at the Judy Garland Museum. A few months later, the slippers fetched a jaw-dropping $32.5 million at auction.
Though Saliterman was never convicted, the allegations against him left a mark on a case already steeped in mystery. The full extent of his involvement remains unclear — and perhaps always will. For now, the legacy of the ruby slippers continues, not just as glittering Hollywood memorabilia but as part of a crime story that ended with more questions than answers.
References: Man Accused in Theft of Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers from 'Wizard of Oz' Dies Before Court Hearing | Second man indicted in 'Oz' ruby slipper theft | Minnesota man accused of hiding stolen ruby slippers from "Wizard of Oz" is dead, prosecutors say
