The Maitland Gallery Murder

File #NYC-2022-1109 · SoHo, New York

A celebrated gallerist found dead in her own private viewing room. A forged Rothko. Three people who needed her silenced.

Difficulty: HARD · Play time: 30–40 MIN · 1–2 players, in the browser.

The suspects

• Julien Roche, 44 — Rival Gallerist (Chelsea). Motive: Forged Rothko sale would expose his own provenance fraud
• Céline Maitland, 38 — Sister & Business Partner. Motive: Insurance fraud — $8.4M policy on the forged piece
• Hans Verlaeg, 61 — Art Restorer / Forger. Motive: Margaux refused to pay agreed cut — threatened exposure

The evidence

• EXHIBIT A: Forged Rothko — UV analysis: paint dated post-1985. Margaux had pulled it from sale that morning.
• EXHIBIT B: Gallery Keypad Log — Back entrance keycode entered 21:47 — code known only to inner circle.
• EXHIBIT C: Cabernet Glass — Cyanide residue. One glass — Margaux's. Second glass on counter wiped clean.
• EXHIBIT D: Email — Sent 18:11 — 'If you go public Wednesday I will end you. I mean that.' From a burner — traced to Julien's IP block.
• WITNESS 1: Doorman Devon — 'Mr. Roche walked in at 9:48. He didn't see me — coat over his head. Left at 10:22.'
• EXHIBIT E: Partial Print on Bottle — Cabernet bottle — partial print on neck matches Julien Roche.
• EXHIBIT F: Insurance Policy — $8.4M coverage on the Rothko — beneficiary: Céline Maitland.
• TRAVEL: Brussels Boarding Pass — Hans flew BRU→JFK on Nov 7 — return ticket Nov 12. Was in NYC on day of death.

Authentication is reputation, and reputation is the only currency a gallery actually has. When a forged Rothko surfaces days before its owner dies in her own viewing room, the real evidence isn't the painting — it's who needed it to keep looking real for one more week. A dense, high-society case with a lot of people who benefit from her silence.

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