Casefile True Crime Casefile Archives 2: The Somerton Man
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Jan 17, 2026 In a twisty tale from 1948, an unidentified man washes ashore in Adelaide, sparking theories of espionage and intrigue. From cryptic clues in his pocket to a missing suitcase, every detail deepens the mystery. An autopsy reveals signs of possible poisoning but no clear cause of death. A rare book connects to the case, featuring a cryptic code and leading to a woman tied to the man. As investigators dig deeper, they uncover links to the Cold War and literary parallels, all while a 2021 exhumation finally unveils the man's identity and leaves lingering questions.
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Discovery On Somerton Beach
- The Somerton Man was found propped against a seawall on Somerton Park Beach at sunset and was assumed to be drunk by passersby.
- He was discovered dead the next morning with no immediate signs of violence or disturbed surroundings.
Autopsy Reveals Ambiguous Cause
- Autopsy found an enlarged spleen and congested organs suggesting illness or poisoning rather than a clean natural death.
- Lab tests found no common poison, leaving the cause ambiguous and possibly the result of a rare or fast-excreting toxin.
The 'Tamam Shud' Scrap Found
- Investigators buried the unknown man and later found a crumpled scrap in his pocket reading 'Tamam Shud' torn from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
- That scrap led police to search for the book and eventually find a matching copy with missing pages.
