Human Head Found Inside Giant Cod
Police Believe Head Might Be That Of Missing Fisherman
BRISBANE, Australia, Updated 4:51 p.m. EDT August 29, 2000 – Workers at an Australian fish wholesaler were shocked to find a human head inside a giant cod last weekend.
The men were preparing the 97-pound fish for sale when they made the gruesome discovery, Reuters reports.
The flowery cod was caught by a fishing trawler and brought to the wholesaler before sale to the public.
“On preparing the fish they observed the remains inside and contacted police,” Detective Sgt. David Miles told reporters Tuesday.
“It was fairly big and the head appeared to be fairly much intact inside it,” he said of the fish.
Local news reports indicate that the head might be that of a trawler fisherman who was reported missing after he fell overboard early Sunday about 31 miles off Townsville.
Police said a search for the fisherman, 39-year-old Michael Edwards of Cairns, was called off after the discovery of the head inside the 5.2-foot fish.
Forensic tests were ordered to determine how the head was severed.
Wow, I just heard the story on the radio (BBC). The police sergeant interviewed for the piece noted the irony of the fact that Mr. Edwards was from Cairns, and the giant cod was caught and taken back to Townsville, from where Edwards launched his boat. The cod was then sent back to Cairns for processing, and the head was found at a canning factory there. As the sergeant said, “The head came home.”
I was thinking this story could be made into an Urban Legend by spreading a rumour that Mr. Edwards’ brother was the one that found the head, but let’s not add insult to a tragedy here.
Anybody else get Austin Powers flashbacks when you read this?
“Obviously, he didn’t have a good HEAD on his shoulders.”
“He’ll never get aHEAD in life.”
“Guess his HEAD just wasn’t screwed on right.”
“He’ll never be the HEAD of a major corporation.”
If making light of a tragedy to ease pain is a crime, I will get caught in the nets of justice and stand up before Cod, and the sharks we call lawyers, in court and defend myself at the herring. I will whale my protest to the world. Don’t dare be koi with me and think I am kidding.
