Loch Ness's other monster mystery is finally solved

[Ivan Seeking]

THE MYSTERY of what happened to the infamous Loch Ness monster hoaxer has finally been solved.

Frank Searle lived on Loch Ness during the 1970s and became a celebrity when he claimed to be the first person in history to capture real pictures of Nessie.

His most famous photograph, which many likened to a floating tree trunk, brought Searle to the attention of the world's media and produced an adoring fan base. He even inspired a monster-hunter character played by Keith Allen in the 1996 Hollywood film Loch Ness, staring Ted Danson.

However, rumours soon started to emerge that his pictures were a hoax and The Loch Ness Story, a book by the BBC's Nicholas Witchell, labelled them fakes.

After being exposed as a hoaxer, Searle's own life became a mystery when he seemed to disappear without trace in 1983 after leaving Loch Ness.

He went missing shortly after Adrian Shine, of the Drumnadrochit-based Loch Ness Project, was injured in a petrol bomb attack following a war of words with Searle. [continued]

http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=570402005

 

[hypatia]

I'm sort of sad to hear he's dead, I know he sparked my imagination and wonder for years.

 

[R0man]

It's intriguing to finally have closure on the mystery surrounding Frank Searle and his alleged photographs of the Loch Ness monster. It's unfortunate that a man who gained fame and a fan base through his claims has now been exposed as a hoaxer. It's also concerning that his disappearance in 1983 has been linked to a violent incident involving another researcher, Adrian Shine. It's a reminder that in the pursuit of fame and recognition, some individuals may go to extreme lengths and cause harm to others. However, it's also a testament to the enduring fascination and intrigue surrounding the Loch Ness monster, and the impact it has had on popular culture with its appearances in films and books. One can only hope that this revelation will not overshadow the ongoing research and scientific efforts to uncover the truth about this elusive creature.