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Tamam Shud Case
An unknown man dead on a beach. No identification. Unbreakable codes. A scrap of paper reading 'Tamam Shud'—'It is finished.' The Somerton Man's identity remained unknown for 75 years.
December 1, 1948
Adelaide, Australia
10+ witnesses
The Tamam Shud case is one of Australia’s most profound mysteries—an unidentified man found dead with cryptic clues.
The Discovery
According to documented accounts:
On December 1, 1948, a body was found on Somerton Beach with no identification, all labels removed from clothing, and cause of death unknown.
The Clues
Found with him were a scrap of paper reading “Tamam Shud” (Persian for “It is finished”), and a coded message in a book.
2022 Identification
After DNA testing, he was identified as Carl “Charles” Webb, an electrical engineer from Melbourne.