The suspects
JR
Julien Roche
Age 44
Rival Gallerist (Chelsea)
Motive: Forged Rothko sale would expose his own provenance fraud
CM
Céline Maitland
Age 38
Sister & Business Partner
Motive: Insurance fraud — $8.4M policy on the forged piece
HV
Hans Verlaeg
Age 61
Art Restorer / Forger
Motive: Margaux refused to pay agreed cut — threatened exposure
Case file excerpt
VICTIMMargaux Maitland, 46 — owner, Maitland Gallery SoHo
FOUNDNovember 9, 2022, 08:14 AM — by morning assistant
LOCATIONPrivate viewing room, Maitland Gallery, Greene St
INITIAL RULINGPossible cardiac event — no overt scene