The source in the major Indian artifact theft case was found dead on Tuesday in what authorities in Utah said was an apparent suicide.

Ted Dan Gardiner, 52, went undercover to buy and sell artifacts that were illegally taken from federal and Indian lands. His work was at the center of the indictments of 24 people last fall.

Some people have pleaded guilty in connection with the theft and two defendants committed suicide. It's not known how Gardiner's death will affect the case.

Get the Story:
Undercover informant in stolen artifact case apparently commits suicide (KSL-TV 3/2)
Man dead after standoff with police (The Salt Lake Tribune 3/3)

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