Rachel Egan discovers she is NOT Somerton Man’s granddaughter

The discovery of the Somerton Man’s name was a milestone moment for an Adelaide couple dedicated to solving the mystery — in more ways than one.

The enduring mystery of the Somerton Man’s identity led a curious professor to his wife and three children, and has become a “woven narrative” for the family of Derek Abbott.

“He (the Somerton Man) is the underlying reason Derek and I first met and fell for each other,” Rachel Egan, of Adelaide, said.

The coincidental love story has re-emerged after the University of Adelaide professor announced on Tuesday night that he, with the help of an American DNA expert Colleen Fitzpatrick had solved the 74-year-old mystery.

They identified him as Carl ‘Charles’ Webb – born on November 16, 1905, in Footscray, Victoria.

Rachel Egan with husband Derek Abbott and children Gisele and Violette. Picture: Matt Turner.

He worked as an electrical engineer and instrument maker.

Ms Egan first became tied to the mystery in 2010 when her now husband reached out to her in belief she was as a potential descendant.

Ms Egan’s biological grandmother, Jo Thomson’s number was found written in the back of a book linked to the Somerton Man. She also lived about five minutes from the location his body was found.

Prof Abbott hypothesised Ms Thomson, who died in 2007, had an affair with the Somerton Man, resulting in a child, the ballet dancer Robin, who was Ms Egan’s father.

Flying to Brisbane to interview Ms Egan, the couple fell madly in love and married within the year.

Rachel Egan and Derek Abbott in 2017. Picture by Matt Turner.

“Derek proposed the second night we met, he begged actually,” Ms Egan said with a grin.

“If he says otherwise, he’s telling rubbish.”

Fast forwarding 12 years later, the couple share a nine-year old-daughter, Gisele, and twins George and Violette, 7.

Fondly referring to The Somerton Man as “Mr S”, Ms Egan said she was always hesitant of her potential genetic ties with the mystery man.

“It was never about proving I was related to Mr S; it was always about assisting him in being able to reclaim his identity,” she said.

“Having said that, Mr S has become woven into the narrative of our family, and our children’s.

“It has been raised on several occasions that Derek married me for my DNA, which is something we both think is mildly amusing.”

Prof Abbott said he and Dr Fitzpatrick ruled out Rachel’s potential ties with the Somerton Man in February as they constructed a family tree from strands of 50 hairs collected from a plaster head mould.

“He’s definitely not related but I don’t think that will be a disappointment, for us it's a bit of a relief, it's a relief just knowing what the truth is,” Prof Abbott said.

The way Mr Webb brought the family together will forever be cherished, he said.

“He’s like an adopted grandfather,” he said,

They plan on “keeping it short and simple” when telling their children, saying Mr S was born Carl Webb but was primarily known by Charles.

The Somerton Man has been one of the country’s most enduring mysteries.

“I’m sure that George though, who is a mini Derek, will want to know every conceivable detail,” Ms Egan said,

Prof Abbott and Dr Fitzpatrick, of Identifinders International, started work together in a bid to identify Mr Webb seven years ago.

Dr Fitzpatrick said she read about the mystery and in 2015 she was in Australia for a genealogy conference and met with Prof Abbott.

She said she was relieved that Webb can finally be identified as the mystery man.

“He was a prominent candidate because there was no date of death, because he was associated with the Keanes, there was a lot of stuff there but then we decided we really needed a second relative to test to confirm,” she said.

The Somerton Man’s suitcase was found at the Adelaide train station shortly after his death with several mentions of the word “Keane”.

Through their work, Dr Fitzpatrick and Prof Abbott were able to trace the name back to Webb’s sister, who was married to a man named Thomas Keane.

Prof Abbott says he will now work with police to convince the Coroner of his DNA findings, and officially declare the man’s identity.

The body of Mr Webb was found slumped against a wall at Somerton Beach on December 1, in 1948 – but for more than seven decades his identity was a mystery.

SA police officers Det Sgt Lionel Leane with PCC D. Bartlett examine clothing found in a suitcase at Adelaide Railway Station.

Canadian film designer Daniel Voshart used new technology to form updated images of the Somerton Man. Picture: Daniel Voshart

Adding to the intrigue was what appeared to be a paper containing a mysterious code as well as a portion of page ripped out of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a Persian poetry book, found in his fob pocket, with the words “Tamam Shud” meaning “finished”.

Theories of his identity included that he was a spy or a gangster.

“(Carl) did have an interest in poetry, he actually wrote poetry himself, so he’s the sort of guy you wouldn’t be surprised if he had a Rubaiyat on him,” Prof Abbott said.

Prof Abbott said the Somerton Man story is far from finished.

“The story doesn’t really end now here, in a sense it’s more the beginning of the story because it’s from here we have the name, and now we can reconstruct the history with more research,” he said.

SAPOL and Forensic Science SA arre currently undertaking their own DNA work following the exhumation of the Somerton Man’s remains last year.

On Wednesday, SA Police said it was still actively investigating the coronial matter.

“We are heartened of the recent development in that case, and are cautiously optimistic that this may provide a breakthrough,” SAPOL said in a statement.

“We look forward to the outcome of further DNA work to confirm the identification, which will ultimately be determined by the Coroner.”