Season 09 Episode 19: Something in the Water
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This episode of Unexplained dives into the chilling true story of James Smith, a man whose severed arm was found in the stomach of a tiger shark at a Sydney swimming pool in 1935. The discovery sparked a complex investigation that unraveled a web of crime, betrayal, and mystery. Smith, a builder and amateur boxer, had been involved in a botched insurance fraud scheme with boat builder Reginald Holmes and forger Paddy Brady. After Smith became a police informant, he was targeted by Brady, who allegedly killed him and used the body to blackmail Holmes. Holmes, fearing for his life, attempted suicide and was pursued by police for four hours before being apprehended. He was later found dead under suspicious circumstances, possibly murdered. Despite multiple trials, no one was convicted, and the case remains unsolved. The episode also weaves in several promotional segments for other podcasts, including OK Storytime, Learn the Hard Way, and Love Trap, highlighting themes of deception, karma, and personal transformation. The narrative blends historical mystery with psychological insight, emphasizing how stories shape identity and behavior.
A severed human arm found in a tiger shark’s stomach led to one of Australia’s most enduring unsolved mysteries.
The case involved a chain of criminal conspiracies, blackmail, and betrayal between three men tied to a failed insurance scam.
Despite circumstantial evidence and multiple trials, no one was convicted, leaving both James Smith’s and Reginald Holmes’ deaths unresolved.
The story illustrates how trauma, deception, and the need for control can drive people to extreme actions.
The podcast uses the case to explore deeper themes of identity, the stories we tell ourselves, and the consequences of unresolved pasts.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening Promos and the Hook
The episode opens with a series of promotional segments for other podcasts, including OK Storytime, A Slight Change of Plans, Deeply Well, Reality With The King, and Learn the Hard Way. These ads set a tone of personal storytelling, mental health awareness, and real-life drama, creating a thematic bridge into the main story.
The Shark and the Arm
“Emerging from out of the sludge, Young could see all manner of strange putrid things, half a rat, chunks of fish, feathers even. But the strangest thing of all was the long pale piece of meat that rose up in the centre of it all, a human arm.”
The Man Behind the Arm
Police identify the arm as belonging to James Smith, a 45-year-old builder and boxer with a criminal past. His fingerprints and tattoo match the description, and the clean cut on the arm suggests it was severed before being eaten. The investigation reveals Smith had disappeared after a failed insurance fraud scheme.
The Crime Ring and the Betrayal
“According to Holmes, during that time that Brady had relentlessly blackmailed and threatened him, on the morning of April 9th, Holmes alleged that Brady turned up at his office with a canvas back and told him to look inside it. When he did... he saw that it contained James Smith's severed arm.”
The Hunt and the Unsolved Truth
“To this day, no conclusive evidence about who killed James Smith or Reginald Holmes has ever been found. They remain two of Australia's most intriguing and longest unsolved cases.”
“According to Holmes, during that time that Brady had relentlessly blackmailed and threatened him, on the morning of April 9th, Holmes alleged that Brady turned up at his office with a canvas back and told him to look inside it. When he did... he saw that it contained James Smith's severed arm.”
“Emerging from out of the sludge, Young could see all manner of strange putrid things, half a rat, chunks of fish, feathers even. But the strangest thing of all was the long pale piece of meat that rose up in the centre of it all, a human arm.”
“To this day, no conclusive evidence about who killed James Smith or Reginald Holmes has ever been found. They remain two of Australia's most intriguing and longest unsolved cases.”
Host
James Smith
person
Paddy Brady
person
Reginald Holmes
person
Tiger Shark
other
Unexplained
media
Coogee Beach
place
iHeartRadio
other
Richard MacLean Smith
person
Albert Stanardt
person
John Patrick Strong
person
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Season 09 Episode 17: Unsettled Dust
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Season 09 Episode 18: It Lingers There
Unexplained • 31m • 4/17/2026
Season 09 Episode 20: Over the Hills and Far Away
Unexplained • 30m • 5/1/2026
Season 09 Episode 21: Triangled Veils
Unexplained • 32m • 5/8/2026
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