Somerton Man Identification
The Somerton Man, found dead on Somerton Park beach in 1948, was identified as Carl "Charles" Webb, an electrical engineer from Melbourne, on April 8, 2026, through DNA analysis of hairs from a death mask, a finding confirmed by South Australian police. As of April 17, 2026, a documentary suggests new isotope analysis indicates Webb may have been an intelligence asset exposed to radiation during secret nuclear tests in Maralinga. However, South Australia Police have not officially corroborated the 2022 DNA findings that identified Webb, indicating the case remains officially unsolved from their perspective. New DNA testing on February 11, 2025, also revealed no genetic ties between Robin Thomson and the Somerton Man, refuting previous speculation.
Timeline
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April 2026 — 2 developments
A 2026 documentary suggests new isotope analysis of the Somerton Man's remains indicates traces of r…
A 2026 documentary suggests new isotope analysis of the Somerton Man's remains indicates traces of rare radioactive isotopes consistent with exposure to early atomic weapons testing. This theory posits that Carl Webb might have been an intelligence asset exposed to radiation during secret nuclear tests in Maralinga.
DNA analysis has confirmed the identity of the Somerton Man as Carl "Charles" Webb, an electrical engineer from Melbourne.
DNA analysis has confirmed the identity of the Somerton Man as Carl "Charles" Webb, an electrical engineer from Melbourne. The identification was made using hairs from a death mask and has been confirmed by South Australian police, resolving a mystery that began when the unidentified man was found dead on Somerton Park beach in 1948.
January 2026 — 3 developments
Recent interviews indicate that additional photographs of the Somerton Man, taken directly after his death and before the autopsy, may still exist.
Recent interviews indicate that additional photographs of the Somerton Man, taken directly after his death and before the autopsy, may still exist. This information comes from an individual who used photographs to create a bust of the man.
A Reddit user claims to have fully decrypted the Somerton Man's code using a new mathematical model, revealing a message related to military intelligence and logistics.
A Reddit user claims to have fully decrypted the Somerton Man's code using a new mathematical model, revealing a message related to military intelligence and logistics. Separately, new research has identified two new puzzles following the identification of the Somerton Man as Carl Webb, including the fate of his ex-wife.
A Reddit post shared an uncle's perspective from the original investigation, highlighting internal u…
A Reddit post shared an uncle's perspective from the original investigation, highlighting internal uncertainties regarding the official conclusions about the Somerton Man's cause of death and origins. Separately, a new theory suggests the mysterious code found with the Somerton Man is not a cipher but a personal record of Carl Webb's search for Jessica Thomson across Adelaide's railway network.
August 2025 — 1 developments
New evidence suggests human hair was collected and sold for use in sculpture and modeling, and the inquest findings for the Somerton Man are still awaiting public release.
New evidence suggests human hair was collected and sold for use in sculpture and modeling, and the inquest findings for the Somerton Man are still awaiting public release. These details indicate ongoing aspects of the investigation.
March 2025 — 1 developments
South Australia Police have not officially corroborated the 2022 DNA findings that identified the So…
South Australia Police have not officially corroborated the 2022 DNA findings that identified the Somerton Man as Carl 'Charles' Webb, indicating the case remains officially unsolved from their perspective. This official non-corroboration means the police do not recognize the DNA identification as conclusive.
February 2025 — 2 developments
A blog dedicated to the Tamam Shud case reported the ongoing discovery of microcode within letters related to the case in February 2025.
A blog dedicated to the Tamam Shud case reported the ongoing discovery of microcode within letters related to the case in February 2025. This indicates continued active research into new potential evidence.
New DNA testing has revealed no genetic ties between Robin Thomson and the Somerton Man, refuting previous speculation that Robin was the Somerton Man's son.
New DNA testing has revealed no genetic ties between Robin Thomson and the Somerton Man, refuting previous speculation that Robin was the Somerton Man's son. This finding impacts theories involving Jessica 'Jo' Thomson in the case.
December 2024 — 1 developments
A late 2024 article revealed that the book containing the Somerton Man's code and a phone number was…
A late 2024 article revealed that the book containing the Somerton Man's code and a phone number was handed to police but was never photographed and subsequently lost during the original investigation.
April 2024 — 2 developments
A 2024 report by sociologist Mohammad H.
A 2024 report by sociologist Mohammad H. Tamdgidi proposes that the Somerton Man's code is a poetic and sarcastic love note written by Carl Webb for a son, offering a new interpretation of the mysterious message.
Sociologist Mohammad H.
Sociologist Mohammad H. Tamdgidi reports that his 2021 deciphering of the Somerton Man's code as a suicide note anticipated and can more reliably prove the unofficial 2022 identification of the man as Carl Webb. He argues this breaks the impasse in solving the case.
December 2023 — 1 developments
South Australia Police (SAPOL) announced that the forensic analysis of the Somerton Man's exhumed remains, including DNA work and forensic anthropology findings, has been completed.
South Australia Police (SAPOL) announced that the forensic analysis of the Somerton Man's exhumed remains, including DNA work and forensic anthropology findings, has been completed. The results are now set to be reported to the State Coroner.
July 2022 — 1 developments
Professor Derek Abbott, in collaboration with genealogist Colleen M.
Professor Derek Abbott, in collaboration with genealogist Colleen M. Fitzpatrick, announced that DNA analysis of hair samples from the Somerton Man strongly indicated his identity as Carl 'Charles' Webb, an electrical engineer born in Melbourne in 1905.
May 2021 — 1 developments
South Australian authorities granted permission for the exhumation of the Somerton Man's remains, 73 years after his burial, to allow for DNA testing.
South Australian authorities granted permission for the exhumation of the Somerton Man's remains, 73 years after his burial, to allow for DNA testing.
October 2013 — 1 developments
Professor Derek Abbott from the University of Adelaide began a renewed push for the exhumation of the Somerton Man's body to obtain DNA for identification purposes.
Professor Derek Abbott from the University of Adelaide began a renewed push for the exhumation of the Somerton Man's body to obtain DNA for identification purposes.
June 1949 — 1 developments
The coronial inquest into the death of the Somerton Man commenced, but ultimately failed to determine the man's identity or cause of death.
The coronial inquest into the death of the Somerton Man commenced, but ultimately failed to determine the man's identity or cause of death.
January 1949 — 1 developments
A small piece of paper with the words 'Tamam Shud' (Persian for 'finished' or 'ended') was found in a fob pocket sewn into the man's trousers.
A small piece of paper with the words 'Tamam Shud' (Persian for 'finished' or 'ended') was found in a fob pocket sewn into the man's trousers. The scrap was later traced to a rare edition of 'The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'.