Somerton Man mystery: Police report 'very soon' as DNA evidence points to Carl Webb

South Australia Police are reportedly close to concluding their investigation into the identity of the Somerton Man, a mystery that has endured for 78 years. Professor Derek Abbott, who has extensively studied the case, stated that police informed him their report for the coroner would be finalized within the next two weeks.

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My understanding is it's going to happen very soon, yes.

Abbott, a professor at Adelaide University, claims DNA evidence, gathered from hairs on a plaster bust of the man and compared with family samples on Ancestry.com, confirms the body found on Somerton Beach on December 1, 1948, is Carl "Charles" Webb. He expressed 99.99 percent certainty in his findings, suggesting it's "beyond reasonable doubt" unless highly improbable scenarios like an unknown twin are involved.

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A SAPOL coronial investigation in relation to the 'Somerton Man' is complex and ongoing.

SA Police, however, have described the coronial investigation as "complex and ongoing." They confirmed they would provide a report to the coroner once completed. The coroner will then decide whether to hold an inquest and publish their findings and recommendations. Professor Abbott noted that determining the cause of death after more than 70 years is unlikely unless there's obvious trauma, as is the case with the Somerton Man.

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Assuming there's nothing weird going on like that, it's beyond reasonable doubt that we've got the right guy.