WHO IS THE SOMERTON MAN?

A police exhumation could finally reveal the mysterious truth after seven decades

- Phillip Koch

It is the Australian cold case that’s stumped generations of police detectives and led to rumours involving spies, poison and a possible murder. Now, more than 70 years after his death, the identity of the so-called Somerton Man could finally be revealed.

Last month, South Australia’s Major Crime Investigation Branch led the exhumation of the unknown man who was found dead on South Australia’s Somerton Beach on December 1, 1948.

Forensic testing is now underway with detectives hopeful that advances in DNA technology could help explain the decades-long mystery.

The unknown man – with highly polished shoes and a perfectly pressed double-breasted suit jacket – was found dead by passers-by, slumped against a sea wall with an unlit cigarette resting on his chest.

Being well groomed and clean shaven, police at the time doubted he was sleeping rough, but there was nothing to identify him – a search of his pockets revealed apparently unused bus and train tickets, a comb, some chewing gum and a packet of cigarettes and matches. Initially the police suspected the man had taken his own life and the first doctor to examine the body concluded death was caused by heart failure – the result of an undetectable poison.