‘It is anticipated that the final report will be made available to the State Coroner in early 2024.’

Remember this ?

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your query.  Please find the following response from a police spokesperson:

“Since the exhumation of the remains of Somerton Man two years ago, SAPOL in partnership with the AFP and FSSA, have engaged with forensic specialists here, interstate and overseas to assist in the identification process. The DNA work on the Somerton Man’s remains was recently completed with analysis of these results to be reported to the State Coroner in the final report along with completed Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Odontology reports, and results of some outstanding forensic analysis that will be completed soon.

It is anticipated that the final report will be made available to the State Coroner in early 2024.”

Cheers.

Media and Public Engagement Section (123)

South Australia Police

Level 8, 100 Angas Street

ADELAIDE SA 5000

T 08 732 23848

–

Now that it’s nine months into 2025 we can assume that all the above-mentioned  reports expected to be on the coroner’s desk in early 2024 are sitting there today, covered in dust.

So why haven’t we heard one way or the other? There must be a problem. Can only be. Even a non-result is newsworthy but we don’t even have that. The SA Coroner seems to have shut it all down.

Why do you reckon that might be? Who is likely to be embarrassed by an official ruling? Abbott? SAPOL? ASIO? The SA Coroner’s office? The University of Adelaide? Colleen Fitzpatrick? SA Forensics? AFP?

And the SA Murdoch press is unusually quiet on the subject when, given the worldwide publicity the exhumation received, you’d expect a comment or two about the long delay, newsmen are supposed to be nosey that way.

I remember someone on Abbott’s Facebook page commenting that the coffin looked to be in excellent shape after over 70 years in the ground.