In February 2025, the life-size bronze statue of Emily Murphy, a key figure in Canadian women’s rights history and part of Alberta’s “Famous Five,” was stolen from Emily Murphy Park in Edmonton. The statue, valued at approximately $250,000 and created by artist Donna Marchyshyn-Shymko in 1992, was discovered missing when city park workers found it had been cut off at the ankles, with several plaques also taken. Following a nearly two-month police investigation, a 43-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property related to this and other metal thefts. Part of the statue was subsequently recovered from a local metal recycling facility, highlighting both the cultural significance and vulnerability of public artwork in the city.
The theft of the Emily Murphy statue occurred in early February 2025, when city park maintenance personnel in Edmonton noticed the absence of the bronze sculpture from its permanent location in Emily Murphy Park. The statue, depicting Emily Murphy—an influential advocate in advancing women’s rights and one of the renowned “Famous Five” — was found to have been removed by forcibly cutting it at the ankles. Additionally, multiple commemorative plaques accompanying the statue were reported missing. The loss prompted an immediate response from the Edmonton Police Service, which launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and recover the stolen artwork.
Over the course of nearly two months, law enforcement officials coordinated efforts involving community tips and surveillance reviews. On April 20, 2025, a 43-year-old male suspect was apprehended and charged with possession of stolen property. Authorities believe the suspect to be linked not only to the Emily Murphy statue theft but also to a series of metal thefts in the Edmonton area, indicating a possible pattern of criminal activity targeting valuable metal objects.
In the wake of the arrest, a portion of the bronze statue was recovered from a local metal recycling facility. While this partial retrieval offers hope for restoration, the statue sustained significant damage, complicating efforts to return it to its original state. Municipal officials and cultural heritage experts have since expressed concern about the security of public monuments and the ongoing challenge of protecting artworks that hold important historical and cultural value for the community.
Donna Marchyshyn-Shymko, the artist who created the statue in 1992, acknowledged the impact of the theft on public memory and the representation of women’s achievements in Canadian history. City representatives are reviewing security protocols in public parks to prevent future incidents and are exploring options for repair or replacement of the damaged statue. Emily Murphy’s contribution to Canadian society remains a focal point of commemoration, underscoring the broader societal commitment to preserving cultural landmarks despite such incidents.
The theft of Emily Murphy’s bronze statue has brought to light significant concerns regarding the protection of public cultural assets in Edmonton. While the partial recovery of the statue offers some hope, the damage sustained presents challenges to full restoration. Authorities are actively reassessing security measures to safeguard similar monuments in the future. Despite the unfortunate incident, the legacy of Emily Murphy and her role in advancing women’s rights in Canada continues to be honored, reinforcing the community’s dedication to preserving its historical heritage and promoting awareness of key figures in Canadian history.
