SEVNICA, Slovenia — Police have launched an investigation into the disappearance of a life-size bronze statue of Melania Trump, which was reported stolen near her hometown of Sevnica in central Slovenia, authorities said Friday.
The statue, installed in 2020 to honor the former U.S. First Lady, replaced an earlier wooden version that vandals destroyed by fire earlier that same year.
Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs in 1970, spent her early years in Sevnica before rising to international prominence.
Police received a report about the theft on Tuesday and are working to locate the statue and identify those responsible. “An investigation has been launched, and police are actively gathering information,” said police spokeswoman Alenka Drenik Rangus.
Artists created the bronze statue as a more durable tribute following the destruction of the original wooden version, which was installed during the presidency of Donald Trump. The monument had become a tourist attraction and a symbol of local pride.
Authorities have not made any arrests and are requesting the public’s assistance. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence in the area to track down suspects.
