All Episodes

February 2, 2025 39 mins
"His personal details were never known to him, and he could only assume his origins based on a nameplate he had as a child."

On 24 June 1955, a Czechoslovakian State Security Patrol detained an unknown man near the Slovak-Polish border. Carrying no identification, the man communicated almost entirely through hand gestures. During interrogation, authorities would discover that he was deaf and mute, although both claims were met with a fair amount of skepticism. A comprehensive, nationwide investigation failed to turn up any sign of his identity.

Over the next twenty-six years, through many twists and turns, the man insisted that he was a Czechoslovakian citizen named Karel Novák. While authorities kept him in a constant state of surveillance and harassment, they were unable to determine where he came from...



Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan

Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me

If you would like to support this podcast, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved--3266604/support.
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

United States of Kennedy
Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.