Peter Frampton’s Les Paul Custom is a pretty good story. Some 17 year old kid in the islands recognized it in a pawn store I think, and got it back to him after being lost for decades. There are several articles about it out there.
I myself had a beautiful purple paisley Telecaster stolen out of my house in 1988. I stupidly left it on my sofa with case open on full display for the thief. They stole my roommate’s stereo and I never saw that guitar again.
How John Fogerty got his guitar back is kind of similar story. His wife tracked it down and gave it him as a Christmas present, 44 years after he gave it away.
That is why I usually buy mid range guitars and then spiff them up. I have an MIM Strat that’s as good as any strat out there. I am out less than $700 if it is stolen.