A stolen Stradivarius was found after three years. The rare violin is estimated to be worth $1.2 million. Min-Jin Kym had the violin stolen while she dined in London’s Euston station railway cafe.

In 2011, three suspects were arrested in connection with the crime. However the violin was not recovered until this week. As reported by Fox News, 34-year-old Kym is thrilled that her beloved violin was recovered:

“It’s been a very difficult journey, I still can’t quite believe what has happened,” said the 34-year-old violinist after the instrument was returned to her… the loss of the instrument, and the acute responsibility I felt, was at the back of my mind at every moment of the day.”

Kym explains that she was given the violin when she was a teenager. As a violinist, she says the violin felt like an extension of herself.

The stolen Stradivarius was recovered with minimal damage and was still inside its case. Two bows, worth nearly $70,000, were still with the violin.

The violin’s identity as an original Stradivarius was confirmed by experts. Kym had a false alarm earlier in the year. However, that violin turned out to be a reproduction.

Kym had the violin insured, and received a settlement from the Lark Insurance Broking Group. As reported by BBC, the violin was turned over to the insurance group.

Kym is currently negotiating with Lark for the return of her violin.

As explained by Stradivarius.org, original Stradivarius violins are considered the “greatest violins ever made.” Each instrument was handcrafted by Antonio Stradivari.

Of the 1,000 violins designed and crafted by Stradavari, only 650 are known to remain. Despite numerous reproduction, true fans contend that nobody has ever created a violin as fine as an original Stradivarius.

Kym’s stolen Stradivarius has finally been found. She hopes to have it back in her hands very soon.

[Image via Wikimedia]