Buzz
The baffling discovery of a deceased man on Somerton Beach in Australia during December 1948 remains unsolved, continuing to be one of the most captivating puzzles of the 20th century. The case is shrouded in mystery, hinting at darker elements often associated with the dangerous world of espionage.
Often referred to as the Tamam Shud case after the finding of a page from a 12th-century Persian poetry book, recent DNA analysis has pointed to the possibility that the ‘Somerton Man’ could have been Carl Webb. However, there are unresolved questions about the accuracy of these results. Issues such as the small DNA sample derived from a hair in a plaster cast, the possibility of contamination, and the partial nature of the genetic data make it difficult to definitively identify him or determine the circumstances of his death. So, the mystery persists: Who was the man found on that beach in 1948?
This case remains one of the most enigmatic and compelling unsolved criminal mysteries in history.
10. Eyewitnesses Likely Witnessed the Final Moments of the Mystery Man
The enigmatic Somerton Man was found early in the morning on December 1, 1948. However, numerous witnesses likely observed him in his final hours the night before, right at the spot where his body was discovered.
Around 7 p.m. the night prior, multiple witnesses reported seeing a man lying on the beach. He was dressed in a suit identical to the one found on the body the next day. The majority of witnesses believed the man to be intoxicated, thinking he was simply ‘sleeping it off.’ As a result, they didn't pay much attention, other than noting his presence.
One witness, however, claimed to have seen the man briefly move his arm as if trying to rise. Another couple mentioned observing him shift his position several times.
While there is no conclusive evidence that the man lying on the beach was indeed the same person found dead the following morning, it’s a reasonable assumption.
9. Indications of Poisoning
Around 6:30 a.m. on the morning in question, John Lyons, a local resident, was heading to work when he stumbled upon the dead man and promptly alerted the authorities. Several intriguing details were immediately observed, leading the coroner to express his belief that poison might have been the cause of death. However, it should be noted that the official cause of death would ultimately remain ‘inconclusive.’
The man was found lying on his back with an unlit cigarette placed on the collar of his suit. The unusual positioning of his feet, crossed and intertwined, caught the attention of investigators, leading them to speculate that he had endured considerable pain in his final moments. This theory was also supported by the coroner’s examination, as voiced by Dr. Dwyer.
While no actual poison was found in the body, Dr. Dwyer reported discovering blood and ‘significant congestion’ in the stomach, kidneys, and throat. He was ‘quite convinced’ that the death wasn’t due to natural causes and proposed that the lethal substance might have been a ‘barbiturate or soluble hypnotic,’ possibly administered via a ‘laced’ cigarette.
Months later, in the summer of 1949, during the inquest, the possibility of poisoning resurfaced. Consultant John Cleland suggested that an undetected poison could have been the cause of death.
8. Australia’s First Embalming Case
Given the eerie and enigmatic nature of the case, it was decided to embalm the body. This marked the first time such a drastic measure had been taken on Australian soil.
The decision was made by Dr. Dwyer, who took this step after considering the strong possibility that the man might not have been Australian. This suspicion arose due to the inability to match the man’s dental records with any existing ones in the country. Dr. Dwyer speculated that the man could have been American or European. In the late 1940s, international data was much slower to access than it is today, prompting the decision to embalm the body until such information, if it could be found, could be obtained.
However, the unmatched dental records were just one of the many puzzling aspects surrounding the mysterious man found on Somerton Beach. Our next point is equally perplexing.
7. The Missing Labels (and a Few That Might Have Been Overlooked!)
Upon closer inspection of the man’s clothing, it was discovered that all labels had been removed. Whether this was done by the man himself or by the person or people responsible for his death remains uncertain. However, it appears that the man likely removed them himself before that fateful evening. This only adds weight to the theory that the mystery man may have been a spy for one nation or another.
Weeks later, after efforts to trace the mysterious man’s movements, another key discovery was made. A brown suitcase was found at Adelaide Railway Station, believed to have belonged to the man. Interestingly, the labels inside the suitcase had been removed as well.
Inside the suitcase, investigators found several remarkable items. Among the ordinary belongings like slippers, a dressing gown, and shaving products, there was also a piece of orange cotton thread, matching the thread used in a small repair on the man’s trousers. Additionally, the thread came from a brand (Barbour) that was mostly found in the United Kingdom, and not commonly available in Australia.
The investigators also uncovered several pieces of clothing that still had their labels intact. It was unclear whether this was a deliberate act or if the labels had simply been overlooked. What stood out, however, was the repeated appearance of the word “Keane.” This name was found on a tie (T. Keane), a laundry bag (Keane), and a waistcoat (Kean). Despite thorough searches, no leads or persons of interest under that name were found.
6. The “Tamam Shud” Note
Undoubtedly, one of the most perplexing discoveries was a small piece of paper sewn into the lining of the man’s trouser pocket. The note contained the words “Tamam Shud,” the final phrase from the 12th-century Persian poem, “The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam.” Even more unsettling was the fact that the words translate to either “it is ended” or “it is finished.”
Initially, investigators were baffled by the discovery. However, in late July 1949, a man using the alias Ronald Francis contacted them. He claimed to possess a copy of the obscure poetry book with a torn page that matched the paper in their possession. He stated that he had visited Somerton Beach the day before the body was discovered. For reasons he did not explain, he had left his car unlocked. When he returned, he found the strange book inside his vehicle. It wasn’t until he saw the police appeals for information that he remembered the odd encounter.
5. Puzzling and “Uncrackable” Codes
The book itself offered additional clues, but these, too, only deepened the confusion. Investigators found faint ink marks and indentations, suggesting that someone had previously made a list. Strangely, this list appeared to contain cryptic codes.
A number of language experts and codebreakers tried to decipher the meaning of these odd markings. Despite their efforts, none were successful. Most now consider it “near impossible” to break the code and uncover its hidden meaning.
Of course, the markings might be meaningless or intentionally placed to mislead. However, this seems unlikely. What could these strange codes signify? And did the person who wrote them have a role in the death of the Somerton Man? Our next point only adds another unnerving layer to this already strange and disturbing case.
4. The “Jessica” Phone Number
The mysterious book continued to offer cryptic clues about the strange event, though these clues were not easily deciphered by the investigators.
At the back of the enigmatic book, investigators found an unlisted phone number. They traced it to Jessica Thomson, whose address was surprisingly located very close to Somerton Beach.
When questioned, Jessica stated that she did not know the identity of the man found on the beach. She also claimed to be unaware of why her private phone number appeared in the book. Despite this, the conversation with Jessica yielded some valuable information.
Jessica confirmed that she had once owned a copy of the book while working as a nurse at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital during the summer of 1945. However, she explained that she had given it away to a soldier named Al Boxall, who was stationed nearby. Our focus now shifts to Boxall.
3. The Potential Connections of the Mangnoson Family
One more intriguing angle in the Somerton Man case involves the strange and unsettling events surrounding the Mangnoson family in early June 1949.
The bizarre series of events began with the discovery of Keith Mangnoson, unconscious and disoriented, alongside his deceased two-year-old son, Clive, just 10 miles away from Somerton Beach. The cause of the boy’s death was undetermined, though the coroner ruled it was not due to natural causes. Even more unsettling, Keith was promptly committed to a psychiatric facility after a covert police interview.
The situation grew even stranger when Roma, Keith’s wife and Clive’s mother, reported to the authorities that a mysterious car had deliberately attempted to run her down. She also claimed she was warned to “keep away from the police” and further asserted that her husband knew the identity of the Somerton Man and intended to reveal it to the authorities.
Roma even went so far as to name the deceased man on the beach as Carl Thompson, claiming he was an intelligence agent who had worked alongside her husband for nearly a decade before his death.
2. George Marshall’s “Suicide”
A particularly strange and troubling link to the Somerton Man case is the “suicide” of George Marshall, which occurred three years prior to the discovery of the mysterious man’s body on the beach. In June 1945, George Marshall’s lifeless body was found in Ashton Park, Sydney. He was positioned on his back, with a copy of the same Persian poetry book previously mentioned, resting on his chest.
What makes this connection even more bizarre is that Ashton Park is directly across from Clifton Hotel, which just so happened to be where Al Boxall, a man with ties to Jessica, was staying at the time.
The mystery deepens with the editions of the poetry book. Officially, only five editions were ever published. However, the copy handed to the police with the missing page was seemingly a 6th edition, while the one found on Marshall’s chest was labeled as a 7th edition. What, then, is the mysterious connection or significance of this rare and odd book to these equally puzzling deaths?
1. The Mysterious Al Boxall
Investigators managed to track down Boxall, and upon their encounter, he practically admitted to having a history linked to intelligence services. He even produced the book that Jessica had supposedly given him.
However, much like Jennifer, Boxall became notably evasive when asked certain questions. His responses, particularly concerning the identity of the mystery man, were filled with uncertainty. Neither he nor Jennifer would admit to knowing the man’s identity.
Several theories surround whether Jessica and Boxall might have had ties to the Somerton Man, especially concerning his death. Many point to the possibility that Jessica was engaged in an affair with the mystery man while also being involved with Boxall. Moreover, all three of them had connections to the intelligence community. Could Jessica have been the one to lure the man to his death? Was Boxall a part of the conspiracy?
