The Unknown Man

The unresolved mystery of the Somerton Man.

It’s the final day of spring in South Australia. November 30th, 1948. John Lyons and his wife were strolling along Somerton Beach when they noticed a man lying slouched against the seawall at an uncomfortable angle. His body was flat, his head was propped up awkwardly on the concrete wall. John checked his watch.. It was only 7 pm. He was worried, only because the mosquitoes were out in full force and the man didn’t seem to be reacting to them at all. He went over to check on the man, but as he approached, the man raised his right arm in a choppy gesture. The way you would wave if you were trying to say “Leave me alone. It’s fine.” In the minds of John and his wife, it was just another drunk passed out on the beach. And they walked on.

Around 7:30 to 8 pm, they passed the man again. He hadn’t moved at all since they’d seen him last. Whatever, they thought. Not their problem. Just let him sleep it off, they thought. And they went on home.

The next morning was the first day of Australian summer, John went for a morning swim at the same beach and, as he towelled off at about 6:30 am, he noticed a crowd forming around the seawall. Beyond the crowd, he saw the same man, lying in the exact same position he’d seen him the night before. Head resting on the wall, arm splayed out in the sand, feet crossed, but now, with an unlit cigarette lying on his collar, almost like it had fallen from his own mouth.

It was 3 hours later when the man’s body was transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Dr. John Barkley Bennet estimated that the time of death was no earlier than 2 am… because well after that time there were multiple sightings of the man at the beach.

Let’s talk about what the man was wearing and the things he had on him. The first thing you’d notice is that the man was wearing a nice suit, something even the couple from the night before noted was odd to wear to the beach, given the heat. He wore freshly shined shoes, like they were brand new, as if they had not been wandering around the town and the beach. An expensive British cigarette, not from Australia, rested behind his ear. Another half-smoked cigarette of the same brand rested between his cheek and collar. On him, he did have a pack of those nice cigarettes in his pocket…