Introduction
Some mysteries fade with time, but others only grow stranger. One of the most baffling unsolved cases in history is the Somerton Man mystery, also known as the Tamam Shud Case. Discovered on an Australian beach in 1948, this case has puzzled detectives, scientists, and the public for decades. With no identity, no clear cause of death, and a cryptic clue hidden in a secret pocket, the Somerton Man continues to haunt investigators even today.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the timeline, evidence, theories, and latest developments surrounding this case — a true historical enigma that remains unsolved after more than 70 years.
The Discovery of the Body
On December 1, 1948, early morning joggers spotted the body of a well-dressed man slumped against a seawall on Somerton Beach, near Adelaide, South Australia.
The man was wearing:
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A clean brown suit
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Polished shoes
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A tie and neatly pressed clothes
Surprisingly, no labels were found on his clothing. All brand tags had been deliberately cut out. Even stranger, the man carried no wallet, money, or identification documents.
To onlookers, it seemed like he had simply fallen asleep. But when police arrived, they quickly realized this was no ordinary case.
The Autopsy Results
Medical examiners discovered several strange details:
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The Somerton Man’s organs were congested, especially the spleen and stomach.
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There were traces of blood in his stomach.
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The official report suggested possible poisoning.
However, no traces of poison were ever found in his system, leading to confusion. Some investigators suspected a rare, undetectable toxin had been used. Others thought it could have been natural causes.
The First Clues
Despite his mysterious death, some items were found in the man’s pockets:
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An unused bus ticket
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A half-empty pack of chewing gum
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A box of matches
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A comb
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A pack of cigarettes (but in the wrong brand box)
None of these offered a clear lead. Then, weeks later, investigators found something chilling.
The Hidden Pocket and the “Tamam Shud” Note
Months after the discovery, while re-examining the man’s clothes, detectives noticed a secret sewn-in pocket in his pants. Inside was a small rolled-up piece of paper with just two words:
“Tamam Shud.”
The words are Persian, meaning “It is finished” or “The End.”
The scrap was later identified as coming from a rare copy of a book: The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a collection of Persian poetry.
This cryptic clue deepened the mystery and gave the case its famous name: The Tamam Shud Case.
The Mysterious Book
Investigators launched a search for the missing copy of The Rubaiyat. Astonishingly, a man in Adelaide turned in a copy of the book he found in his car near the beach.
Inside the book:
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The back page had been torn out (the exact size of the “Tamam Shud” slip).
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On the inside cover, faint handwriting was discovered — a sequence of strange letters and symbols.
Some believed this was a secret code, possibly related to espionage. Others argued it was just random scribbles.
The Telephone Number and the Nurse
Inside the same book, police also found a telephone number.
The number belonged to Jestyn (real name: Jo Thomson), a young nurse who lived in Adelaide. When questioned, she claimed she had no idea who the Somerton Man was.
But witnesses reported that when she was shown the body, she looked visibly shocked — almost fainting.
Many theorists believe she knew more than she admitted.
Espionage Theories
The 1940s were the height of the Cold War, and Adelaide was close to a secret weapons testing site. This led some investigators to suggest that the Somerton Man may have been a spy, possibly assassinated with an untraceable poison.
Several clues support this theory:
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No identity documents
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Clothing tags deliberately removed
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A possible coded message in the Rubaiyat
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Connection to a nurse who may have had intelligence links
However, no conclusive evidence ever proved this.
Other Theories Surrounding the Case
Over the decades, multiple explanations have been suggested:
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Suicide – Some argue the “Tamam Shud” note signified that the man had taken his own life.
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Romantic Affair – The connection to Jo Thomson has fueled speculation that the man may have been her lover.
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Criminal Activity – He could have been involved in smuggling or underworld dealings.
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Medical Mystery – Others believe he may have died from a natural but rare medical condition.
Yet none of these theories fully explain the missing identity and the coded note.
The Exhumation and DNA Breakthrough
For decades, the Somerton Man remained buried without a name. But in 2021, Australian authorities exhumed the body to conduct advanced DNA testing.
In 2022, a major breakthrough came:
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Genetic analysis suggested the Somerton Man was Carl “Charles” Webb, an electrical engineer and instrument maker from Melbourne, born in 1905.
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Webb reportedly had a troubled marriage and disappeared in the 1940s.
This discovery gave the man a name, but it didn’t solve the biggest question: How and why did he die?
Why the Case Still Haunts Us
The Somerton Man mystery endures because:
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The cause of death remains unknown.
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The code in the Rubaiyat has never been fully explained.
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The connection to Jo Thomson is still suspicious.
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If he was truly Charles Webb, why did he end up alone on a beach far from home?
The unanswered questions continue to make this one of the world’s most fascinating unsolved cases.
Conclusion
The Somerton Man case is more than just a crime story - it’s a tale of mystery, espionage, love, and tragedy. Even though science may have identified him as Charles Webb, the secrets he took to the grave still remain locked away.
Perhaps one day, new discoveries will reveal the full truth behind Australia’s most haunting mystery. Until then, the words “Tamam Shud” echo like a final riddle - The End, but not really the end.
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