True crime movies, TV shows and now podcasts have become an obsession for those who want to dive into never solved mysteries. Although these stories often come to an end and justice is done, the cases often remain open. Ten, 20 or even 100 years later, researchers and couch-crime solvers are still looking for answers.
“Unsolved Mysteries”, Netflix’s re-launch of the series, which premiered in the late 1980s and has been broadcast for over two decades, debuted on the streaming service in late June and remains the number one series this week. The documentary series about the true crime leads the viewer through various puzzles ranging from disappearances to murders and paranormal activities that have remained unsolved.
For those who can’t get enough of the “Unsolved Puzzles”, there are nine more real-life puzzles that remain open to this day.
Berkshire’s UFO
While our thoughts may go to places like Nevada and New Mexico when we think of UFO sightings, one of the more famous cases occurred in Massachusetts in 1969.
The incident is documented on Netflix’s reboot of the classic “True Crime” series “Unsolved Mysteries”, which premiered last month. It is said that on September 1, 1969, an unidentified flying object was sighted by various people in Great Barrington, Sheffield, Stockbridge and Egremont. Several residents and witnesses were interviewed for this episode, including Thomas (Thom) Reed and others who say they were abducted by a UFO and later returned. What makes this story unique is the fact that several witnesses confirm the same account of what happened.
The disappearance of Mary Celeste
What happened to the ship Mary Celeste was covered in an episode of the original series “Unsolved Mysteries” in 1994 and is a mystery that goes back to 1872 and which we still scratch our heads about today. On November 7, 1872, the Mary Celeste set sail from New York City to Genoa in Italy – although she never made it there. Instead, on December 5, she discovered another ship drifting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. More or less nothing unsettling was found on board, although the one liferaft was missing along with the 10 people who should have been on board. There were seven crew members on board together with the captain, his wife and their two-year-old daughter. The ship’s logbook was still intact, and it was determined that the last record was dated November 25th. The lifeboat was never recovered, and no one heard from the ship again.
The reincarnation of the Pollock twins
Is reincarnation real? The story of the Pollock twins might make you question it. In 1957 two sisters, Jacqueline, 6, and Joanna, 11, died in a car accident in England. A year later, their mother gave birth to twin girls whom she called Gillian and Jennifer. There are different accounts of when the similarities between the newborns and their deceased sisters began to take shape. It is said that Jennifer had white lines on her forehead where Jacqueline also had a scar. When they were old enough to talk, they began to identify their older sister’s toys and point to landmarks such as the school her older sisters attended. Even a report in which they pointed to a car and, in panic, thought the car was going to pick them up.
Jack the Ripper
We all know the name Jack the Ripper, but his history still leaves many question marks over 130 years later. In 1888, Jack the Ripper, as he was known, killed at least five women-and mutilated their bodies in a manner that led authorities to believe he knew about human anatomy. All of the bodies were found within a mile or so of each other and took just over a month. Despite the discovery of the bodies, Jack the Ripper was never caught, making him one of the most notorious serial killers in history.
Flooded bridge
This inexplicably unfortunate bridge does not completely affect humans, but seems to have a fatal effect on the canines. The Overtoun Bridge is located in Dumbarton, Scotland, and is called the “Bridge of Death” after at least 50 dogs have jumped to their death from the side since the 1960s. According to Slate, hundreds more have jumped, but have survived the fall from 50 feet – some even returned to the bridge to jump again. In the mid-1990s, the “curse” is said to have hit a father who threw his two-month-old baby off the bridge and said he was possessed by the devil.
