Solved Mysteries Lecture

Introduction

• Mysteries intrigue us, whether paranormal or true crime.
• This lecture focuses on solved mysteries, including murders and unexplained phenomena.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident

• Event: 1959, 9 Russian students disappeared in Ural Mountains.
• Discovery: Tent found ripped open, bodies scattered, some with severe injuries.
• Speculations: Nuclear tests, alien encounters, Abominable Snowman.
• Resolution: Scientists in 2019 suggested an avalanche, supported by Disney's VFX team from Frozen.

The Somerton Man

• Event: 1948, unidentified body found in Australia with a cryptic note "Tamam Shud".
• Theory: Suspected spy, poisoning, and coded messages.
• Resolution: DNA analysis identified him as Carl Webb.

The Bloop

• Event: 1997, mysterious underwater sound detected.
• Speculations: Sea monster theories arose.
• Resolution: Identified as ice quakes, natural occurrences in Antarctica.

The Franklin Expedition

• Event: 1848, ships Erebus and Terror went missing in the Arctic.
• Speculations: Largest search in maritime history, psychic involvement.
• Resolution: Wreckage found in 2014, clarifying some details of the expedition.

The Golden State Killer

• Event: Series of murders and assaults in California.
• Resolution: Michelle McNamara's book raised awareness, DNA evidence identified Joseph James DeAngelo.

The Zodiac Killer

• Event: Serial killer in San Francisco, known for sending cryptic notes.
• Resolution: In 2020, part of the Zodiac’s code was deciphered, though it didn’t reveal his identity.

The Salish Sea Human Feet

• Event: Human feet washing ashore since 2007.
• Speculations: Plane crash victims, serial killer.
• Resolution: Linked to drownings and natural decomposition, footwear floated feet to shore.

The Man from Taured

• Event: Passport from non-existent country at Tokyo Airport.
• Resolution: Identified as a known conman using fake passports.

The Oldest DNA Solved Cold Case

• Event: 1956 double murder in Montana.
• Resolution: DNA evidence in 2012 linked murders to Kenneth Gould.

The Face on Mars

• Event: 1976, NASA images suggested a face on Mars.
• Resolution: Later imagery showed it to be natural rock formations.

The Belmez Faces

• Event: 1971, mysterious faces appeared on floor in Spain.
• Resolution: Hoax, possibly created for tourism.

The Tunguska Event

• Event: 1908, massive explosion in Siberia.
• Resolution: Likely caused by a comet exploding in the atmosphere.

The Mad Gasser of Mattoon

• Event: 1944, people reported gas attacks in Illinois.
• Resolution: Likely mass hysteria and environmental pollution.

The Bermuda Triangle

• Event: Numerous disappearances of planes and ships.
• Speculations: Aliens, Atlantis.
• Resolution: High traffic area with natural explanations for accidents.

The Roanoke Colony

• Event: 1587, English colony disappeared.
• Resolution: Likely assimilated with local tribes.

The Codex Gigas

• Event: Medieval manuscript allegedly written by a monk in one night.
• Resolution: Likely written over decades, famous for its depiction of the Devil.

Malaysian Flight MH370

• Event: 2014, plane disappearance.
• Resolution: Likely pilot suicide, plane flew off course until it ran out of fuel.

Denver International Airport

• Event: Conspiracy theories about its construction and art.
• Resolution: Large construction projects naturally incite rumors, no evidence of conspiracy.

These cases remind us that mysteries can often be explained with patience, evidence, and sometimes a bit of creativity.