The Tamam Shud case, also known as the Mystery of the Somerton Man, is one of Australia’s most enduring and enigmatic unsolved cases. This mysterious event revolves around an unidentified man found dead on Somerton Beach near Adelaide, South Australia, in December 1948. The case is named after a scrap of paper found in the man’s pocket, bearing the words “Tamam Shud,” meaning “ended” or “finished” in Persian. The circumstances of the man’s death, his unknown identity, and the subsequent investigations have led to widespread speculation and numerous theories over the years.

On the morning of December 1, 1948, the body of an unidentified man was found lying against a seawall at Somerton Beach. He was dressed in a suit and shoes, which was considered unusual attire for the beach. An unlit cigarette was resting on his collar. The man appeared to be in his mid-40s, was in good physical condition, and showed no obvious signs of violence or struggle.

An autopsy was performed, but it failed to determine a clear cause of death. The pathologist noted that the man’s spleen was enlarged and his liver was distended, both signs of poisoning, but no foreign substance was found in his body. The man’s dental records did not match any known person, and his fingerprints also failed to provide an identification.

Several items and clues added to the mystery:

• Lack of Identification: All labels on his clothes were removed, and he had no wallet or identification.
• The Rubáiyát Connection: Months after the discovery of the body, a particular copy of “The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám” was handed in to the police by a man who found it in his car near the beach. This book had a phone number and a coded message scribbled in it.
• Tamam Shud Slip: The final piece of the puzzle was the discovery of a scrap of paper in a hidden pocket of the man’s pants. It was torn from the last page of a copy of “The Rubáiyát” and had the words “Tamam Shud” printed on it.

The investigation revealed that the phone number in the book belonged to a nurse named Jessica Thomson (often referred to as Jestyn), who lived near Somerton Beach. She claimed she did not know the deceased man, but reportedly seemed distressed when shown a plaster cast of his face. The coded message in the book has never been deciphered, despite numerous attempts by professional and amateur codebreakers.

Over the years, various theories have been proposed regarding the identity of the Somerton Man and the circumstances of his death:

1. Spy Theory: The most popular theory is that the man was a spy, given the Cold War context, his unidentified status, the mysterious code, and the involvement of a rare book.
2. Love Affair: Some believe that the man might have been involved with Jessica Thomson and that his death was related to a failed relationship.
3. Murder or Suicide: The nature of his death – whether it was murder or suicide – remains a subject of debate. The lack of evidence of poisoning and the untraceable nature of his identity lean towards theories of a covert assassination.
4. Medical Conditions: Some speculate that the man may have suffered from an undiagnosed medical condition that led to his sudden death.

Advances in forensic science have prompted new examinations of the case. Modern analyses of the man’s physical characteristics suggest he might have been American or British. In recent years, efforts have been made to extract DNA from the man’s hair and teeth to establish his identity through genetic analysis.

The Tamam Shud case remains one of the most profound mysteries in Australian history. The lack of conclusive evidence, the mysterious clues left behind, and the anonymity of the man have fueled endless speculation. Despite numerous investigations and public interest, the case remains unsolved, leaving the identity of the Somerton Man and the circumstances of his death a matter of conjecture and a subject of enduring fascination.