Feeling safe in your own home? So did Ian Thorpe…until this happened
- Replies 2
High-profile Australians aren't immune to the threat of theft, no matter how secure their lives may seem.
A recent incident involving a beloved national icon has sparked a police investigation and questions about how it could have happened.
What unfolded next has left many stunned—and searching for answers.
A high-profile crime involving one of Australia’s most celebrated athletes took a dramatic turn this week, prompting a police investigation and a flurry of speculation.
What began with a visit to a Sydney police station soon unravelled into a case involving missing valuables, whispers of insurance claims, and a string of unanswered questions.
And while details remained scarce, the involvement of swimming great Ian Thorpe ensured the situation quickly captured public attention.
On 5 June, Thorpe, 42, visited Paddington Police Station to report an alleged theft. According to NSW Police: ‘Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command have commenced an investigation into the incident.’
At the time, there were few official details available. It wasn’t until the following day that the story gained traction, after a media personality revealed it live on radio.
‘We believe he’s in the red to the tune of $150,000,’ the host said, while admitting: ‘There are no details about what’s allegedly happened to Ian Thorpe. We don’t know if he’s been robbed online or in person.’
Images of Thorpe at the police station quickly surfaced, and speculation grew as to what might have occurred. His manager, James Erskine, initially had no knowledge of the incident.
However, after speaking with Thorpe, Erskine told the host that the swimmer said he went to police ‘to talk about an insurance job’.
Later in the day, Erskine phoned back into the program to confirm the situation involved a break-in at Thorpe’s residence.
‘He has had some things stolen from his house—watches, jewellery, some personal items,’ he said. ‘He called up his insurers, they said go and make a police report.’
Erskine also noted that Thorpe saw no obvious sign of forced entry and admitted: ‘I have no idea what the value is to be honest.’
While no Olympic medals were taken, the theft of high-value items raised eyebrows, particularly given Thorpe’s public profile.
The champion swimmer had relocated to a $2.8 million Edgecliff apartment in late 2023, after listing his three-storey Woollahra townhouse.
Known for his dominance in the pool, Thorpe had claimed three gold and two silver medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, followed by two more golds and another silver at Athens in 2004. He retired in 2006.
His post-swimming life remained in the public eye. In 2014, he came out as gay during a televised interview with British presenter Michael Parkinson, saying he hoped it would ‘make it easier for others’.
Thorpe was a key supporter of the 2017 Yes campaign and spent several years in a relationship with model and entrepreneur Ryan Channing. Channing died in 2022 while in Bali, at just 32 years old.
‘I think when it is someone that is so young, it is tragic for anyone to see them passing at that kind of age,’ Thorpe said at the time.
Since stepping away from elite sport, Thorpe built a career in television and advocacy. He became a familiar face on Australian screens as a swimming commentator and reality show contestant, with appearances in Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Amazing Race.
In 2024, he was spotted using a wheelchair during the Australian Olympic Trials in Brisbane, after suffering a serious injury while filming Celebrity Amazing Race.
Source: Youtube/7news
As investigations into the theft continued, NSW Police said there was ‘no further information available at this time’.
For now, the mystery remained—how could a break-in happen with no signs of forced entry, and what exactly was taken from one of Australia’s sporting legends?
Thorpe didn’t just win races—he redefined what Australians believed was possible in the pool.
If you watched him make history back then, you’ll want to see this moment that reminded the world just how powerful he was—tap below to relive it.
Source: Youtube/Skills N' Talents (swimming)
With home security a growing concern for many older Australians, does this story make you think differently about how safe your own valuables are? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A recent incident involving a beloved national icon has sparked a police investigation and questions about how it could have happened.
What unfolded next has left many stunned—and searching for answers.
A high-profile crime involving one of Australia’s most celebrated athletes took a dramatic turn this week, prompting a police investigation and a flurry of speculation.
What began with a visit to a Sydney police station soon unravelled into a case involving missing valuables, whispers of insurance claims, and a string of unanswered questions.
And while details remained scarce, the involvement of swimming great Ian Thorpe ensured the situation quickly captured public attention.
Swimming legend reports stolen valuables. Image source: Instagram/ian.thorpe
On 5 June, Thorpe, 42, visited Paddington Police Station to report an alleged theft. According to NSW Police: ‘Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command have commenced an investigation into the incident.’
At the time, there were few official details available. It wasn’t until the following day that the story gained traction, after a media personality revealed it live on radio.
‘We believe he’s in the red to the tune of $150,000,’ the host said, while admitting: ‘There are no details about what’s allegedly happened to Ian Thorpe. We don’t know if he’s been robbed online or in person.’
Images of Thorpe at the police station quickly surfaced, and speculation grew as to what might have occurred. His manager, James Erskine, initially had no knowledge of the incident.
However, after speaking with Thorpe, Erskine told the host that the swimmer said he went to police ‘to talk about an insurance job’.
Later in the day, Erskine phoned back into the program to confirm the situation involved a break-in at Thorpe’s residence.
‘He has had some things stolen from his house—watches, jewellery, some personal items,’ he said. ‘He called up his insurers, they said go and make a police report.’
Erskine also noted that Thorpe saw no obvious sign of forced entry and admitted: ‘I have no idea what the value is to be honest.’
While no Olympic medals were taken, the theft of high-value items raised eyebrows, particularly given Thorpe’s public profile.
The champion swimmer had relocated to a $2.8 million Edgecliff apartment in late 2023, after listing his three-storey Woollahra townhouse.
Known for his dominance in the pool, Thorpe had claimed three gold and two silver medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, followed by two more golds and another silver at Athens in 2004. He retired in 2006.
His post-swimming life remained in the public eye. In 2014, he came out as gay during a televised interview with British presenter Michael Parkinson, saying he hoped it would ‘make it easier for others’.
Thorpe was a key supporter of the 2017 Yes campaign and spent several years in a relationship with model and entrepreneur Ryan Channing. Channing died in 2022 while in Bali, at just 32 years old.
‘I think when it is someone that is so young, it is tragic for anyone to see them passing at that kind of age,’ Thorpe said at the time.
Since stepping away from elite sport, Thorpe built a career in television and advocacy. He became a familiar face on Australian screens as a swimming commentator and reality show contestant, with appearances in Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Amazing Race.
In 2024, he was spotted using a wheelchair during the Australian Olympic Trials in Brisbane, after suffering a serious injury while filming Celebrity Amazing Race.
Source: Youtube/7news
As investigations into the theft continued, NSW Police said there was ‘no further information available at this time’.
For now, the mystery remained—how could a break-in happen with no signs of forced entry, and what exactly was taken from one of Australia’s sporting legends?
Thorpe didn’t just win races—he redefined what Australians believed was possible in the pool.
If you watched him make history back then, you’ll want to see this moment that reminded the world just how powerful he was—tap below to relive it.
Source: Youtube/Skills N' Talents (swimming)
With home security a growing concern for many older Australians, does this story make you think differently about how safe your own valuables are? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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