10 Captivating Mysteries Unraveled Through Photography

This compilation secured second place in the Mytour launch contest. I’m particularly fond of photo lists, both reading and crafting them. Mysteries also captivate me, so I decided to merge these interests into one. Here, we explore 10 mysteries that were likely solved thanks to photographic evidence. The idea was sparked by the 1966 film 'Blow Up' featuring David Hemmings and the 1948 movie 'Call Northside 777' starring Jimmy Stewart. These cinematic gems inspired me to delve into solving mysteries using photographs. For now, I’ll satisfy my curiosity by examining the intriguing photos I’ve gathered for this list.

10. The Mystery of Fuller Pilch’s Burial Site

In 1981, Canterbury Christ Church University acquired a cemetery to construct a concert hall in Canterbury City. Before building, 200 remains required relocation to accommodate the new structure. Among these was the grave of the renowned cricketer, Fuller Pilch. However, his memorial had been moved to the county cricket ground in 1978, leaving the exact location of his burial unknown. A distant relative, Pete Pilch, 78, from Wadhurst, East Sussex, recalled a photograph (shown above) of his mother standing by the grave in the 1950s. He found it in a family album. The photo, taken before the memorial’s relocation, included a house in the background, which provided crucial clues to pinpoint the legendary cricketer’s final resting place.

Interesting Fact: A spokesperson from Canterbury Christ Church University informed BBC News that the photograph proved to be immensely helpful. They further mentioned that Fuller Pilch’s grave would remain untouched, as it is situated near the church’s front entrance, while the development is planned for the rear. The university is also contemplating a way to commemorate the cricketer’s grave, ensuring its location stays publicly recognized. Pilch is celebrated as one of England’s finest batsmen, having played for Kent between 1835 and 1854. He gained fame for his unique batting style, widely known as the Pilch Poke.

9. The Mystery of the Family’s Stolen Belongings

In August 2010, John Myers and his family from New Jersey traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, to attend a friend’s wedding at the State Capitol. Myers wanted to capture a family portrait using his digital camera and placed his bag on the statehouse steps. He set the camera’s self-timer and quickly joined his wife and two children in the frame. After taking the photo, Myers returned to find his bag missing. Upon reviewing the picture (shown above), he noticed someone rummaging through his bag. Myers promptly took the camera to the Wisconsin Capitol Police, located inside the building. By identifying the suspect’s clothing in the photo, the police swiftly located him walking nearby with the stolen bag.

Interesting Fact: John Myers later admitted to reporters, “In hindsight, leaving my bag so far away wasn’t the best decision.” He commended the Capitol police for their swift action, expecting only a report to be filed but instead witnessing an immediate response that led to the thief’s capture. Myers recovered all his possessions, including his wallet, cash, credit cards, hotel keys, rental car keys, and an iPad. Items discarded during the theft were also retrieved. The suspect, however, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor theft. 


8. The Story Behind Obama’s Hope Poster

The iconic Barack Obama “Hope” poster, created by the controversial street artist Shepard Fairey, became a defining symbol of the 2008 Obama presidential campaign. The origin of the photograph Fairey used for the poster remained a mystery for some time. Fairey mentioned it was sourced from a Google Image search but couldn’t pinpoint its origin. After extensive efforts by bloggers, the original photo was discovered in January 2009, post-election. It was taken in 2006 by former Associated Press freelance photographer Mannie Garcia during a media event featuring actor George Clooney, aimed at raising awareness about the War in Darfur. You can view the photo here.

Interesting Fact: On February 4, 2009, the Associated Press declared that the photograph used in the poster was their property and required permission for use. They announced discussions with Fairey’s attorney to reach a resolution. Fairey’s legal team argued that his use of the image was protected under fair use and filed a federal lawsuit against the AP. However, in October 2009, Fairey admitted to misleading the court by destroying evidence related to the photo’s use. His legal team acknowledged this jeopardized his case, and a judge later encouraged a settlement.

7. The Mystery of Ansel Adams' Work?

A decade ago, Rick Norsigian stumbled upon what some dubbed a $200 million discovery at a garage sale. Among boxes, he found 65 glass negatives believed by some experts to be the work of renowned photographer Ansel Adams, celebrated for his stunning black-and-white images of the American West. Over the next 10 years, the story took numerous twists. In July 2010, Mariam Walton of Oakland, California, saw a photograph of the iconic Jeffrey Pine tree in Yosemite during a TV segment on famous photos. She instantly recognized it as a picture taken by her Uncle Earl. Upon closer inspection, while the clouds differ, the branches and leaves in both images align perfectly, suggesting they were captured during the same session.

Interesting Fact: Scott Nichols, a 30-year expert on Adams and his photography, analyzed the image by measuring and studying its lighting and angles. He noted the striking similarities between Uncle Earl’s photo and Norsigian’s claimed Adams original. Nichols stated, “Replicating those shadows and positioning the camera identically by two different photographers is nearly impossible.” Uncle Earl, who lived in Fresno where the negatives were found, frequently photographed Yosemite. The art expert who initially authenticated the negatives as Adams’ lost work later reconsidered his stance.

6. Could This Be JFK?

Last year, TMZ claimed to have discovered a previously unpublished photo allegedly showing then-Senator John F. Kennedy lounging on a yacht surrounded by nude women. According to TMZ, the photo was taken in the 1950s, and its earlier release might have “altered history.” They enlisted a forensic photo expert who compared the image to known photos of JFK and concluded it was authentic. Two Kennedy biographers also reviewed the photo and agreed the man was likely JFK. However, The Smoking Gun later revealed a color version of the same image from a 1967 Playboy magazine spread titled “Chartered Yacht Party.” The original color photo (potentially NSFW) can be viewed here.

Interesting Fact: TMZ also reported that Jackie Kennedy was pregnant at the time and was rushed to the hospital while JFK was on the yacht. Doctors performed an emergency C-section, but the baby was stillborn. TMZ later retracted their claims about the photo. Historical accounts suggest that in the summer of 1956, Kennedy spent two weeks on a Mediterranean boating trip with his brother Ted and Senator George Smathers. The trio reportedly invited several women to join them on the yacht. The black-and-white photo was previously owned by a man who kept it hidden for years, often boasting about it to friends. After his death, his son inherited the photo and reportedly sold it to TMZ.

5. The Mystery of Left-Handed Billy

For much of the 20th century, it was widely believed that Billy the Kid was left-handed. This notion was so prevalent that a film titled “The Left Handed Gun,” starring Paul Newman, was made about him. The belief arose because the only known photographs of him depicted him holding a Winchester rifle in his right hand and his gun on his left side. However, experts later determined that the photograph was reversed, revealing that Billy the Kid was actually right-handed. Closer examination showed that the buttons on his vest were on the left side (men’s clothing typically has buttons on the right). Additionally, firearm experts noted that the Winchester’s spring plate, where cartridges are loaded, was on the left side, whereas Winchesters were manufactured with spring plates only on the right. The corrected image can be viewed here.

Interesting Fact: Billy the Kid’s real name was Henry McCarty. Legend claims he killed 21 men, one for each year of his life, though historical records suggest the number was likely less than half of that. His legend grew a year after his death when Sheriff Patrick Garrett, who shot him, published a biography titled “The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid.” He was buried in Fort Sumner’s old military cemetery alongside his companions Tom O’Folliard and Charlie Bowdre. A single tombstone marked their graves, inscribed with Billy’s alias “William H. Bonney” and the word “Pals.” The tombstone has been stolen and recovered three times since the 1940s and is now protected by a steel cage. You can view his grave here.

4. The Mystery of Cone Crater

After landing on the moon in February 1971, Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard and Ed Mitchell set out to hike to Cone Crater. Their mission was to collect samples and reach the crater’s rim to peer inside. The astronauts trekked over 1,400 meters uphill, pulling a cart loaded with scientific equipment (shown above). The steep terrain and lack of landmarks made the journey challenging, raising their heart rates. Mission Control eventually instructed them to gather whatever samples they could and return. For decades, it remained unclear how close they had come to the crater’s edge. The mystery was solved when images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2009, revealed their trail. The photos showed they were just 30 meters short of reaching the crater’s rim. You can see their path here.

Interesting Fact: The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is currently orbiting the moon at an altitude of 50 kilometers (31 miles). Its mission supports future NASA manned lunar expeditions by creating detailed maps, identifying safe landing zones, and locating potential resources. The LRO has also captured images of equipment left behind by the Apollo missions, effectively debunking conspiracy theories questioning whether humans ever landed on the moon. You can view other Apollo landing sites photographed by the LRO here.

3. The Controversy of a Staged War Photo

The image above, known as “The Falling Soldier,” is celebrated as one of the most iconic war photographs ever captured. Taken by Robert Capa in 1936, it was long believed to depict the death of a Spanish soldier during the Spanish Civil War. However, after years of scrutiny, experts now agree the photo was staged. Additional images taken by Capa at the same time and location support this conclusion. One such photo, published in a French magazine (viewable here), shows another soldier falling in the same setting. Capa claimed the photo was taken at Cerro Muriano, a battle site, but detailed analysis reveals it was actually shot near Espejo.

Interesting Fact: Despite the controversy, Capa’s bravery and contributions to war photography remain undeniable. He was only 22 when he took the now-debated falling soldier photo. After the Spanish Civil War, he documented the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II across Europe (including the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach), and the Arab-Israeli War in 1948. On May 25, 1954, while covering the First Indochina War in Southeast Asia, Capa stepped on a landmine. Although initially alive, he suffered severe injuries, including the loss of his left leg and a critical chest wound. He died en route to a field hospital, camera still in hand.

2. The Mystery of the Titicus Reservoir Corpse

On June 13, 1993, state police in Somers, New York, discovered a body in the Titicus Reservoir with 38 pounds of rocks in his backpack. The man had no identification and did not match any local missing-persons reports. The only clue was a black-and-white photograph (shown above) found on his body, depicting a man holding a young boy. The photo, encased in glass, was tucked close to his heart beneath his winter clothing. Police initially suspected the boy in the photo was the victim, but years of investigation yielded no results. In 2008, 15 years later, a retired teacher recognized the building in the background of the photo. Investigators traced the location to the former home of the Bookless family, which had burned down. Using dental records, the medical examiner identified the man as Andrew Bookless.

Interesting Fact: When contacted, the Bookless family identified the elderly man in the photo as Andrew’s grandfather. They revealed that Andrew often disappeared for months, which was why his mother never reported him missing. Police could not determine if his death was a suicide or the result of foul play. Investigators believe Andrew fell through the ice during the winter of 1992-93, months before his body was found. The woman who recognized the building in the photo remarked, “I’m not psychic or anything like that, but I think maybe Andrew worked through me to finally get some closure.” Andrew was 31 at the time of his death.

1. Is This a Real Ghost?

This photograph is famously known as the “Wem Ghost.” Captured in 1995 by Tony O’Rahilly, a farm worker and amateur photographer, the image was taken as a 90-year-old building in Wem, Shropshire, was engulfed in flames. O’Rahilly claimed the figure of a little girl only appeared after the film was developed. Locals speculated the ghostly figure was 14-year-old Jane Churm, who accidentally caused a devastating fire in Wem in 1677. In April 2010, a local newspaper published an old postcard in its nostalgia section, revealing a striking resemblance to the girl in the photo. The dress and bonnet matched perfectly, and upon closer examination, the details confirmed it was an exact match.

Interesting Fact: The method used to create the altered photograph might resemble techniques employed by mediums who claimed to capture images of deceased relatives. These mediums would request a photo of the departed, take a picture of it in a back room, and then partially expose it onto a glass plate. During a consultation, they would take another photo of the client and expose it onto the same plate, creating an image of the “spirit” of their relatives. You can view the 1922 postcard here and a detailed comparison here.