Image of the unknown dead man, now identified as Carl "Charles" Webb, found on Somerton Beach, Adelaide, on the morning of Dec. 1, 1948. Credit: Australian police
Identifinders International and the University of Adelaide announce the identification of the Somerton Man as Carl "Charles" Webb, born Nov. 16, 1905 in Footscray, Victoria to Richard August Webb (1866-1939) and Eliza Amelia Morris Grace (1871-1946). He was resident of Melbourne, and by profession an electrical engineer and instrument maker.
The Somerton Man is Australia's most well-known forensic case that has defied analysis since the man was found dead on Somerton Beach, South Australia, on Dec. 1, 1948. The identification was made based on DNA obtained from hair found embedded in the man's plaster death mask held at the South Australia Police Museum. Professor Derek Abbott of the University of Australia was permitted access to the mask and the hair in 2011 by the South Australian Police.
In 2018, the Australian Center for Ancient DNA (ACAD) at the University of Adelaide successfully extracted the whole mitochondrial genome of the Somerton Man to establish that he was Caucasian European along his direct maternal line. In July 2022, Abbott and Identifinders' founder Colleen Fitzpatrick were able to obtain additional DNA from the hair to create an autosomal SNP profile that enabled them to use forensic genetic genealogy to identify the man.
The team discovered additional clues to support the Somerton Man's identification as Charles Webb. For example, Webb's sister Freda was married to Thomas Keane. The name "T. Keane" or "Keane" appeared on several items in the Somerton Man's suitcase, discovered at the Adelaide train station shortly after he died.
A twist in the story is that Robin Thomson who has been thought to be the Somerton Man's son was found to have no DNA link. Fitzpatrick and Abbott were able to conclusively eliminate Robin as a relative, even though he shares rare teeth and ear features with the Somerton Man.
Republished courtesy of Identifinders International.