iPad Recovered from River Thames Solves Attempted Murder and Museum Heist Cases

Forensic analysis of a long-submerged iPad provided critical evidence leading to the conviction of three men for conspiracy to murder and their role in an international artifact theft.

An iPad submerged in the River Thames for over five years was recovered by London’s Marine Policing Unit in November 2024 during a search for evidence related to a 2019 shooting.
The iPad's SIM card revealed call data and GPS tracking information that tied Louis Ahearne, Stewart Ahearne, and Daniel Kelly to the attempted murder of Paul Allen, a former armed robber left paralyzed in the attack.
The three men were also linked to a $2.3 million museum heist in Switzerland, where they stole Ming Dynasty artifacts and attempted to sell them at a public auction.
Paul Allen, the shooting victim, was previously convicted for his role in a £53M armed robbery in 2006, adding a layer of complexity to the case.
The convictions, finalized in March 2025, highlight the role of advanced forensic technology and international collaboration in solving interconnected crimes.