Fallen Minnesota man linked to stolen Wizard of Oz ruby slippers found dead.

A somber chapter in a long and peculiar saga has come to an unexpected close. On March 17, 2025, Judge Patrick Schiltz approved the dismissal of charges against Jerry Hal Saliterman, a 77-year-old Minnesota resident, after learning that Saliterman had passed away just a day prior. The charges against him stemmed from an infamous case involving a stolen pair of ruby slippers once worn by Judy Garland in the legendary 1939 musical “The Wizard of Oz.”

For nearly two decades, the fate of these slippers—a cherished piece of Hollywood history—remained tangled in mystery after they were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005. The slippers, valued at $1 million at the time, became the pursuit of law enforcement once they were reported missing. The theft was emblematic of a broader narrative surrounding memorabilia heists, where sentimentality clashes with greed over artifacts tied to American pop culture.

Saliterman, who had been in declining health due to lung disease and other complications, was previously involved in a legal affair alongside his alleged accomplice, Terry Jon Martin. Martin, the primary suspect, was arrested years after the slippers vanished and pleaded guilty in 2023. In his confession, he painted a picture of a heist gone awry, claiming he had only intended to “lift one last score” before facing the twilight of his life.

Directly involved in judicial proceedings since his first court appearance in a wheelchair last March, Saliterman had been found complicit in the circumstances surrounding the stolen slippers, charged with both witness tampering and theft of a major artwork. Prosecutors had indicated that Saliterman was due to plead guilty in January but postponed this for health reasons. His attorney, John Brink, confirmed his death and expressed condolences, opting not to provide additional details on the circumstances.

Authorities reported that both men had more than just a passing interest in the slippers; they were embroiled in a web of intrigue that included mob connections, desperate decisions, and ultimately, tragedy. Witnesses in recent court filings revealed that Saliterman had been hospitalized due to severe illness earlier in the year, struggling with conditions that left him unable to walk. In late January, he attended his arraignment via a video connection from a hospital room, illustrating the deterioration of his health as his legal battles progressed.

The ruby slippers, which dazzled audiences during their original run, remained a symbol not only of Garland’s legacy but also of a divided tale of crime and yearning. In 2018, after years of uncertainty, the FBI recovered the slippers, which had fetched an astounding $32.5 million at auction just months before Saliterman’s passing—a testament to the cultural significance and market potential of Hollywood memorabilia.

As the case against Saliterman unwinds, discussions regarding the future of the slippers linger. The Judy Garland Museum’s aspirations to reclaim the shoes were initially bolstered by a state-backed fund, yet these efforts ultimately fell short. Figuratively speaking, the slippers had been left dangling, caught between history and the murky waters of contemporary justice. Their fate now rests in the hands of collectors, historical societies, and the fickle nature of the marketplace.

With Saliterman’s death, a chapter in a remarkable saga comes to a close, leaving behind questions about the slippery nature of justice, age, and the stories that objects can tell. For all of the intrigue that his life and legal troubles provided, one thing remains crystal clear: the ruby slippers, much like the memories of those who sought them, will forever be woven into the fabric of American culture, adorned with patches of hope, heartache, and the eternal quest for redemption.