The narrative describes the mysterious case of an unidentified man found dead on Somerton beach in 1948, with no apparent cause of death and no identification. A nurse named Jessica Thompson was involved, as she seemed to recognize the man but denied knowing him. The case included cryptic clues like a hidden pocket with a Persian phrase, a book with her phone number, and an indecipherable code. Despite various theories, including espionage and a romantic connection to the nurse, the man's identity and cause of death remain unsolved. The case is still open, with hopes that DNA testing may provide answers.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A man was found dead on Somerton Beach in 1948.
2. The man was not identified, and no cause of death was determined.
3. A nurse named Jessica Thompson saw the man's face and was shocked, but claimed she didn't know him.
4. The man had no identification on him, but was found with a cigarette, matches, a comb, an unused train ticket, and a used bus ticket.
5. The man's clothing had no labels or tags, and his shoes were polished.
6. The man's hands were clean and well-cared for, suggesting he didn't work with his hands.
7. An autopsy revealed that the man's organs were full of blood, indicating possible poisoning.
8. No poison was found in the man's body, despite multiple tests.
9. A forensic expert suggested that the poison may have been one that decomposes quickly, leaving no trace.
10. The man's suitcase was found at a train station, containing a pair of slippers, a robe, socks, underwear, pajamas, a screwdriver, and a jacket made in the United States.
11. The jacket had a label with the name "The King" on it, but no other identification was found.
12. A book of poetry, "Rubaiyat" by Omar, was found in the man's possession, with a cryptic message written in the back.
13. The book was later found to have a hidden code written in ultraviolet light, which has not been deciphered.
14. A man came forward with a copy of the same book, claiming it was the same edition as the one found with the dead man.
15. The man's phone number was found in the book, leading police to a nurse named Jessica Thompson.
16. Jessica Thompson claimed she didn't know the man, but her reaction suggested she may have recognized him.
17. A theory emerged that the man was a spy who used an invisible poison to kill himself, and that the book and code were a means of communication.
18. Another theory suggested that the man was in a romantic relationship with Jessica Thompson and had a child with her, and that the book and code were a way of communicating with her.
19. A DNA test is planned to determine if the nurse's granddaughter is related to the dead man.
20. A witness statement from 1959 was found, claiming that a man was seen carrying another person on his shoulder near the beach where the dead man was found.