When a newly caught 4.4-metre tiger shark made its home at Sydney’s Coogee Aquarium in 1935, crowds flocked to see it. But visitors got more than they bargained for when the shark spat up a human arm!
As the screams filled the air, the limb was fished out of the water. Initially thought to be the result of a shark attack, a medical examination revealed the arm had been severed by a knife. On the arm was a prominent tattoo of two boxers, with a rope attached to the wrist. The intact fingers offered fingerprints for the police to track down who the arm belonged to.
The arm’s owner was identified as Jimmy Smith, a small-time criminal who had been dealing with big-time players. The case became known as the ‘Shark Arm Murder’, and the bizarre mystery has never been solved.
Yet over the past year, new findings appear to have cracked the 86-year mystery. The book Shark Arm by Phillip Roope and Kevin Meagher pulls together long-forgotten details from deep within the NSW Police archives and exposes the most likely culprits. The release of the book elicited new details from beyond the grave, further confirming who was behind the murder.
This story is from the June 7, 2021 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 7, 2021 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Christian gives Fred THE SILENT TREATMENT
Being suddenly elevated to heir of the Danish throne at the tender age of 18 was never going to be an easy time for Crown Prince Christian – let alone learning to cope with his new role and responsibilities in the face of a family crisis.
Jean-Christophe Novelli- 'I LOVE BEING ¿A JUDGE!'
MasterChef Australia has cooked up yet another “culinary roller-coaster”, according to new judge Jean-Christophe Novelli! New Idea sat down with the multi-Michelin Star award-winning French chef, where he assured us that plenty of tears and triumphs will be served...
'IDON'T THINK ABOUT FAME AT ALL'
THE KIWI ICON REALLY HATES BEING CALLED A CELEBRITY
SHOCK HOME MAKEOVER!
WELL IT SURE IS DIFFERENT AND UNUSUAL
TARNIS HED LEGACY COMES TO AN END
THE FALLEN STAR’S DEATH DIDN’T ELICIT MUCH SYMPATHY
Clothing allowance!
THE ACTOR CURBS HIS WIFE’S SHOPPING SPREES
'LET ROBERT GROW UP'
THE SHOWBIZ VETERAN SHARES A WORD OF ADVICE WITH THE IRWIN MATRIARCH
'ASH WAS THE BEST MUM'
HER HEARTBROKEN FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE
ROYAL STYTLE!
ADELAIDE COTTAGE IS GETTING A REVAMP
We make 4000 ANZAC BISCUITS every year!
JENNY AND THE CWA SWEETLY HONOUR THOSE WHO SERVED