Ep 1. The Mysterious Death of the Somerton Man

In the debut episode of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime season 1, hosts Ryan and Shane delve into one of Australia's most bizarre unsolved mysteries: the death of the Somerton Man. The episode opens with a brief overview of the case: in 1948, an unidentified man was found dead on the beach in Adelaide, with no identification and no apparent cause of death. The only clue was a scrap of paper found in the pocket of his suit jacket, bearing the phrase "Tamam Shud" (meaning "finished" in Persian).

Ryan and Shane then jump into the investigation, starting with a visit to the beach where the body was found. They note the eerie atmosphere of the place, which adds to the mystery surrounding the case. Next, they interview University of Adelaide professor Derek Abbott, who has been researching the Somerton Man case for over 20 years. Abbott describes some of the key pieces of evidence, including the scrap of paper (which was torn from a book of Persian poetry) and a mysterious code that was found in the back of the same book.

The hosts also meet with retired detective Gerry Feltus, who was tasked with investigating the case in the 1970s. Feltus describes some of the early theories about the Somerton Man's identity, including the possibility that he was a spy or had connections to organized crime. He also reveals that a man named Jestyn, who lived near the beach where the body was found, was a person of interest in the case.

Ryan and Shane then visit a local library to search for more information about Jestyn. They discover that her real name was Jessica Thomson, and that she had a son named Robin who was born around the same time as the Somerton Man's death. The hosts track down Robin's daughter, Kate, who agrees to speak with them about her family's possible connection to the case.

Throughout the episode, Ryan and Shane offer their own theories and opinions about the case, often with comedic banter and skepticism. They note the strangeness of the alleged "suicide" (or possible murder) of the Somerton Man, as well as the eerie details surrounding Jestyn and her family. However, they also acknowledge that without more concrete evidence, the case may never be fully solved.

Overall, the first episode of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime sets the tone for the series to come, combining engaging storytelling with a mix of humor and suspense. The hosts' investigation into the Somerton Man case offers a fascinating look into one of Australia's most enduring mysteries, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and hungry for more.