ABOUT US

About the Author and the Tamam Shud Blog

More than just a blog, this space has served as an active case file for the Somerton Man mystery since 2013. The analysis and research presented here are guided by the rigorous discipline of a former police officer with extensive training and experience in the UK's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Criminal Intelligence, and Scenes of Crime units.

This disciplined, evidence-first approach has been the driving force behind the investigation from its true starting point in 2009.

The Genesis of a New Investigation

This research began by reviewing and building upon the foundational work carried out by the Adelaide University Facebook page and a small, dedicated collective known as "The Inner Sanctum." This group, which included a number of well-known individual researchers and had input from retired detective Gerry Feltus, aimed to apply new scrutiny to old evidence.

From the outset, this fresh approach created waves in the research community. Our early work, particularly the discovery of micro-writing on the "Code Page," challenged established narratives and set a new, intensive pace for the investigation. This blog has since become a repository for the many discoveries that have emanated from this unwavering, 15-year focus on the case.

A Legacy of Discovery

The findings listed below represent some of the most significant advancements and new lines of inquiry brought to the Somerton Man case by this blog and its collaborators.

Forensic and Cryptographic Breakthroughs

This investigation pioneered the analysis of micro-writing and other hidden details within the case's core documents, revealing layers of complexity previously unseen.

• The initial discovery of micro-written numbers and letters in the open spaces of the Code Page.

• The subsequent discovery of microcode embedded within the letters of the Verse 70 inscription and throughout the title page of the Rubaiyat.

• The finding of similar microcode within the letters of the "TAMAM SHUD" torn slip.

• The discovery of anamorphic writing on the edges of both the Boxall Rubaiyat and the Code Page.

• The analysis of the Hay Internment Camp banknotes, revealing micro-written letters and numbers across all three denominations, establishing a precedent for such techniques.

• The identification of an Acrostic code in Tibor Kaldor's last letter, which yielded the authenticator codeword "DANETTA." This same codeword and technique were then located in Verse 70 and the Code Page.

• The discovery that the Code Page could be rearranged into a 7-line code, with each line beginning with 'M', which also revealed the "DANETTA" acrostic.

• The discovery that a second police photograph of the Code Page existed at the time of Stuart Littlemore’s 1976 documentary.

Physical Evidence and Procedural Analysis

Applying a cold-case, scenes-of-crime methodology revealed significant inconsistencies in the original investigation and physical evidence.

• The discovery that the number "70" was written onto Alf Boxall's copy of the Rubaiyat after his 1977/78 television interview.

• The critical finding that no fingerprints were taken from any items in the suitcase or from the copy of the Rubaiyat found in 1949.

• The discovery that the fingerprint form, said to contain the Somerton Man's prints, was not properly signed or certificated.

• The observation that the right forefinger, index finger, and thumbprints showed wear consistent with the use of a small handheld tool, such as an engraver's tool.

• The discovery, with Dr. John Luick, establishing that the Somerton Man was likely placed on the beach after the high tide on 1st December 1948, implying at least two people were involved.

• The creation of photographic comparisons showing significant differences between the man's post-autopsy and pre-burial photos.

• An interview with Paul Lawson, who created the plaster bust, revealed he used post-autopsy photographs to model the face, as the face on the body "did not match." Lawson's diary also contained the cryptic entry: "disposal of the original body."

• The revelation from Paul Lawson that Alf Boxall and the nurse (Jestyn) were known to meet in the grounds of Royal North Shore Hospital.

• The discovery that the copy of the Rubaiyat handed to police was a Collins second-edition version.

• The identification of the shoes worn by the man as being very similar to a pair from a vintage catalogue bearing the model number 9048.

The Espionage Connection and Persons of Interest

This research has consistently pursued and developed the theory that the case is rooted in Cold War espionage, identifying new persons of interest and contextual links.

• The discovery, with Clive Turner, of the Tibor Kaldor incident. Kaldor, a Hungarian-Jewish internee, was found dead in a hotel in Adelaide on 14th November 1948.

• The opening of the "Dunera Boys" as a new research area, connecting Kaldor to the thousands of enemy aliens deported from the UK to Australian internment camps like Hay, Tatura, and Loveday.

• The discovery that tools made by internees in these camps bore a resemblance to the tools found in the Somerton Man's suitcase.

• The discovery that a "Missing Man and Woman" from a Russian delegation flight arriving for the Lapstone Conference on December 1st, 1948, were later identified as employees of the Russian Embassy.

• The discovery that Vitaly Pavlov, a known and trained Soviet assassin, was present in Australia during the relevant time frame.

• The follow-up and naming of Pavel Ivanovich Fedosimov as a likely candidate, originally nominated by researcher John Ruffles and alluded to by an Australian politician in the book 'The Atom Spies'.

• The discovery of the only two known photographs of Fedosimov, taken at La Guardia Airfield in New York in the company of his boss, Novikov.

• The discovery, via Alexander Vassiliev's notes, that Fedosimov was recalled to Moscow in July 1948 on suspicion of being about to defect.

• The discovery that Fedosimov's ship, the SS Pobeda, was diverted on its journey and suffered a major explosion and fire, killing 42 people, including a high-ranking Chinese military defector.

• The discovery that the SS Pobeda and another ship, the SS Derna, crossed paths near Egypt, providing a plausible route for a person to jump ship and arrive in Melbourne on Melbourne Cup Day, 1948.

Recent Findings: The Carl Webb Identification

In one of the most significant recent advancements on this blog, a detailed analysis conducted in collaboration with AI has challenged the 2022 identification of the Somerton Man as Carl Webb. Using established and proven photogrammetric technologies and a custom-developed algorithm, it was conclusively demonstrated that Carl "Charles" Webb was approximately 5'8" tall. This creates a clear and significant 3-inch height discrepancy with the 5'11" Somerton Man, providing strong, evidence-based proof that they cannot be the same person. Link to page here:

https://tamamshud.blogspot.com/2025/08/how-tall-was-carl-webb-verifiable-answer.html

Our Guiding Philosophy

From the outset, the focus of this blog has been on the evidence. Whenever and wherever possible, I have set out to substantiate the vast majority of the "finds" that have been made here. While intuition and experience play a role, conclusions must be grounded in verifiable facts. This work continues, and as more discoveries are made, they will be added to this record.