A bronze statue of Melania Trump, the first lady of the United States, erected in her native Slovenia, has gone missing, sparking a police investigation. The statue, unveiled near her hometown of Sevnica in 2020 to replace a wooden one that was destroyed by arson, was reported stolen on May 13. The statue, created by American artist Brad Downey, was found chopped off at the ankles and removed.

Downey expressed disappointment over the theft, speculating that it might be linked to the recent US election, though the motive remains uncertain. The original statue, featuring Melania Trump in a blue dress and heels, was carved by a local artist with a chainsaw out of a tree. The bronze replacement was described as an “anti-monument, anti-propaganda” and was fixed securely in a private field near Sevnica.

Melania Trump’s presence in the White House had raised hopes of a visit to her homeland, which is yet to materialize. Sevnica has embraced her name, with various products such as cakes and chocolates bearing her name. The incident has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding public art and political symbolism, adding a layer of intrigue to the ongoing mystery of the missing statue.