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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
-
7 sweet experiences for chocolate loversThe Week Recommends Treat yourself with chocolate experiences, both internal and external
-
Scientists have developed a broad-spectrum snake bite antivenomUnder the radar It works on some of the most dangerous species
-
Codeword: November 5, 2025The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
