Unsolved Mysteries has been canceled and resurrected many times over the decades, with the latest iteration streaming on Netflix. Now in its third season, the platform's version of the show continues to deliver compelling, compartmentalized episodes that cover everything from missing persons and mysterious deaths to paranormal encounters, ghost sightings, and more.
Naturally, as the details of each case are revealed, a flurry of conversation has erupted online from fans who offer their theories and ideas on what they think might have really happened. Some theories make total sense, while others are completely out in left field.
Tiffany Really Did Die By Suicide
Vol. 3, Episode 1: “Mystery At Mike Marker 45”
One of the theories discussed in this episode of Unsolved Mysteries, one of many shows about the unexplained and cold cases, was that there was no foul play but that promising young athlete, Tiffany Valiante, actually did die by suicide. Usually, such theories seem less plausible to viewers and too simple an explanation for something potentially sinister. In this case, however, some fans think it’s entirely possible this is exactly what happened.
Redditor DearBurt thinks Tiffany might have been overwhelmed with everything coming in her life, including her recent break-up, coming out to her parents, starting college, the recent theft, and living up to everyone’s expectations of her. “Sad case,” they say, “but doesn’t seem all that unsolved to me.”
The Michigan UFO Sightings Were Part Of A Government Program
Vol. 3, Episode 2: “Something In The Sky”
Redditor slylad does not dispute the credibility of the statements from various residents who all saw the same thing that night. However, they think it could have been part of MKULTRA, a CIA human experimentation program designed to find drugs that could be used in interrogations to purportedly coerce confessions.
“Declassified government papers,” they claim, “show that MKULTRA wanted to exploit the UFO hysteria of the time for their experiments.” They think it could have been part of an experiment to “test the effects of consciousness-altering gas on unsuspecting people.”
Tammy’s Family Might Be Helping Her
Vol. 3, Episode 3: “Body In Bags”
One theory presented about Tammy and how she has been able to evade capture for so long is that she is getting help from others. Many believe her family members know where she is and aren’t revealing the information to protect her, despite her heinous acts.
Redditor ECNIV321 says they are “convinced her mom knows something that she’s not sharing with the feds.” Another thing fueling this theory is the fact that Tammy has two children, which foxwraithh says is a fact that was rushed through on the series. “Someone has to know something,” they say. While theories like this are enough to keep fans up at night, Unsolved Mysteries still remains one of the best shows on Netflix to fall asleep to.
Lisa Was A Sex Worker
Vol. 3, Episode 4: “Death In A Vegas Motel”
One of the biggest questions in the events that led up to Buffalo Jim’s death relate to who went into his room using a guest key 10-15 minutes before he did. Why did they go in there, and why isn’t there camera footage or a record of them obtaining the key, especially since there is footage of Jim’s arrival? WINNERMIND thinks they might have an explanation for that, noting that sex workers are often given room keys prior to their clients arriving so that they can go in first.
“It’s very common for sex workers to go to the room first to get ready and then the men arrive around 10-30 minutes later.” Lisa could have worked with or for Rick Rizzolo as well.
Buffalo Jim Was Into Some Shady Dealings
Vol. 3, Episode 4: “Death In A Vegas Motel”
While it’s not as plausible a theory given that Buffalo Jim was working with law enforcement, one Redditor, MrDeftino, thinks he might have been involved in some unsavory deals that his kids didn’t know about. This would explain glossing over the fact that his wife simply picked up and left with their kids.
“Not saying she’s involved,” they add, “but I think she knew he was into some shady s**t with bad people and took herself and her daughters away for safety.” The burner phone found in the hotel room, posits MrDeftino, is further evidence that he might have been up to other things his family, especially his kids, didn’t know about.
Poorly Hung Doors
Vol. 3, Episode 5: “Paranormal Rangers”
The Paranormal Rangers episode – which could easily rank among the best Unsolved Mysteries episodes - covered a lot of ground, from Bigfoot to supernatural hauntings and skinwalkers. One aspect that Redditor w1nyshr1mp thinks could be easily explained is the events like doors opening on their own in the building.
They cite other shows where such happenings were simply confirmed to be “a door that was not hung properly,” as noted by home inspectors who later investigated. It’s a simplistic answer that doesn’t touch on the other elements, like coins falling and the mysterious repeated phone calls. Nonetheless, it’s one theory worth considering that could lead to others.
Sightings Are The Product Of Poisoning
Vol. 3, Episode 5: “Paranormal Rangers”
While fans don’t want to question the validity of claims from people who are insistent that they saw or experienced paranormal things, there are always questions. It’s important to play devil’s advocate at times to fully analyze a situation.
This is precisely what Redditor rushingthrough does in their post about the sightings from people on the Navajo Reservation. “I wonder,” they ask, “if one of the reasons for this is things like carbon monoxide poisoning, lead poisoning, nuclear waste, etc. that are more likely to happen in impoverished communities.” These things, they add, “can cause things like hallucinations and brain tumors.”
A Drug Smuggling Deal Gone Wrong
Vol 3., Episode 7: “Body In The Bay”
Despite being dubbed an “unsolved” mystery since there was no actual closure in the case, many viewers who watched the episode about the friendly school librarian whose body was found in the water after he disappeared on a dinghy believe the case is pretty clear-cut.
According to one Redditor, they believe “this is a drug smuggling gone wrong” and that Pat was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Other Redditors believe it might have been an accident or impulse kill, and in a panic to hide his body, Pat was tied up and pushed overboard.
Josh Guimond Drowned
Vol. 3, Episode 6: “What Happened To Josh?”
While the episode focused a lot of the activity on Josh’s computer and how he could have been involved in things his friends didn’t know, many believe that might be a red herring. Some point out that, at that time, many students who lived in dorms all shared one computer, so it’s possible it was a roommate who wiped it because they didn’t want questionable things of theirs to be seen.
One possible theory is simpler: dasher11 says that it seems likely Josh went walking across the bridge, where he was seen by the couple. They suggest: “he went down by the water to pee, fell in, and drowned.”
A Glitch In The Ernie Doll
Vol.3, Episode 8: “The Ghost In Apartment 14”
Fans want to believe a supernatural explanation for the Ernie doll in the eighth episode – one of the scariest cases on Unsolved Mysteries - repeatedly saying “ I feel great” and working even after the batteries were removed. They want to believe it was Marliz speaking to the new homeowner from the grave. But some Redditors have a theory about what really happened. In fact, many claim to have owned that very same doll and dealt with the same issues with it that could come down to everything from a technical glitch to water damage.
“I had this same Ernie doll,” says Redditor beksmo. “It did the exact same thing in my closet.” Redditor tlinclay71 agrees, adding that the story affirmed them because the same Ernie doll would do the same thing in their home as a child. It doesn’t explain everything else, but it is a simple explanation for one aspect of the strange things that went on in the apartment.