John Lennon's Diaries & Iconic Glasses Found in Germany a Decade After Allegedly Being Stolen

Personal items including diaries and iconic round-framed glasses belonging to John Lennon believed to be stolen 11 years ago have been found in Germany.

Police in Berlin arrested a man on Monday accused of receiving 100 items once belonging to the iconic singer, including a diary that ended on the day Lennon was shot and killed in New York City on Dec. 8, 1980, according to the Associated Press.

In a press conference, Berlin prosecutor Michael von Hagen said the entry was written the morning of Lennon’s death.

One of John Lennon's notebook had handwritten songs 'Woman' 'Just Like Starting Over' inside.
One of John Lennon's notebook had handwritten songs 'Woman' 'Just Like Starting Over' inside.
Diaries of John Lennon from the years 1975, 1979 and 1980.
Diaries of John Lennon from the years 1975, 1979 and 1980.

“This day contains the entry that on that morning John Lennon and Yoko Ono had an appointment with Annie Leibovitz to take a photo which I think is world-famous,” he said.

Leibovitz’s portrait was on the January 1981 cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

The AP reported that the 58-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday and police raided his Berlin home and cars. Police told the outlet that another suspect lived in Turkey and is not available but that they were trying to extradite him to Germany.

Yoko Ono and John Lennon.
Yoko Ono and John Lennon.
Pairs of glasses belonging to Lennon.
Pairs of glasses belonging to Lennon.

Prosecutors and police officers flew to New York City to have Ono verify the authenticity of the items.

“She was very emotional and we noticed clearly how much these things mean to her and how happy she would be to have them back,” Susann Wettley, a prosecutor, said of showing Ono the items.

Hagen also expressed doubt that Ono might have lent or given the items away.

“The diaries especially… were also treated by Yoko Ono as something sacred,” he said. “And the idea that she would have given away three original diaries, especially the one that ends on the very day Lennon died, can be completely ruled out.”

A cigarette case belonging to Lennon.
A cigarette case belonging to Lennon.
A school exercise book of Lennon from 1952.
A school exercise book of Lennon from 1952.

Among the items allegedly taken was a school exercise book from 1952 from when Lennon lived in Liverpool, England, handwritten scores for “Woman” and “Just Like Starting Over.” Three diaries were also from 1975, 1979 and 1980.

According to Reuters, police suspect Lennon’s personal items were stolen by Ono’s former driver and transported to Turkey, where they were brought to Berlin in 2013 or 2014.

The outlet reported that the police were alerted after the items were found by the administrator for a bankrupt auction house, which had previously valued the objects at $3.64 million.