Pål Enger, Norwegian art thief behind famed 1994 heist of Munch's 'The Scream,' dead at 57

In Helsinki, Pål Enger, a former Norwegian soccer player turned notorious art thief, has passed away at the age of 57. Enger gained infamy for his daring heist of Edvard Munch's iconic painting "The Scream" from the National Gallery in Oslo in 1994. This theft, along with his prior criminal activities, propelled him to national celebrity status in Norway, leading to documentaries and even an international television series chronicling his life of crime. Enger's criminal career began in 1988 with the theft of Munch's painting "Love and Pain" from the Munch Museum in Oslo. His audacious theft of "The Scream" on the opening day of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer garnered global attention. Despite multiple convictions for art theft, drug crimes, and other offenses over the years, Enger continued to attract media interest. He even evaded authorities in 1999 and made public appearances, showcasing a brazen attitude towards law enforcement. During his time in prison in 2007, Enger discovered a talent for painting, transitioning from a life of crime to becoming a professional artist by 2011. However, his criminal tendencies persisted, as evidenced by his involvement in the theft of 17 paintings from a gallery in Oslo in 2015. Despite his criminal exploits, Enger's former lawyer described him as a "gentleman" thief who will be missed in Norway. Reflecting on his dual identity as a potential football star and a skilled criminal, Enger once remarked that he chose the path of crime over sports due to his perceived aptitude in that realm.