Internet identifies mystery dead skier after 64 years

The identity of a skier who perished in the Alps in the 1950s has finally been established, after officials turned to social media to solve the mystery.

Human remains were found on a peak in the Aosta region of Italy, a popular ski destination near the Swiss border, in 2005.

Careful examination by forensic experts revealed that remains belonged to a man aged between 30 and 50, while the size and make of his skis also led detectives to conclude that he was a well-off man who stood around 5”7, La Stampa reports.

A coin minted between 1946 and 1950 found on his person put the date of his death at sometime in the 1950s, and the make of his clothing and watch suggested that the dead man was French.

However, despite the clues, his identity remained a mystery for 13 years. Finally, last month, Italian authorities took their search to social media.

On 28 June, Agente LISA, the official Facebook page of the Italian police, posted an appeal for anyone who might be able to help put a name to the dead man.

The post was shared more than 600 times, and ultimately seen by nearly 40,000 people.

“Thanks to you and your many shares, and the virality of social media, we were able to reach a French radio station”, the Italian police explained in a follow-up post.

It was here, in the offline world, that the final piece of the puzzle to fall into place. Parisian Emma Nassem was listening to the radio in her car when a report on the unorthodox search triggered thoughts of her uncle, Henri Le Masne. 

Le Masne, an “independent” bachelor from Normandy who worked for the French ministry of finance, disappeared while skiing in adverse weather conditions on 26 March 1954, the day he turned 35.

Nassem made her way to the Agente LISA post, where she commented: “Who do I contact? I think I know this person.”

A DNA sample provided by Nassem’s father, Roger, confirmed that the remains were those of Henri Le Masne.

Roger, now 94, was “very moved” to have finally solved the 64-year-long mystery of what happened to his older brother, Le Figaro reports.