Mysteries That Were Solved With Google Street View

True Crime

Mysteries That Were Solved With Google Street View

Imagine a world where a simple drive can uncover mysteries, solve crimes, and even provide closure to families. Google Street View has transformed the way we see our surroundings, capturing moments that often go…

March 10, 2025 • 3 min read • Art Grindstone

Art Grindstone is the hard-nosed storyteller behind Unexplained.co, a veteran investigator whose life’s work sits at the crossroads of the paranormal, fringe science, and the shadows most people try not to look into. With decades spent chasing impossible stories — black-budget psychic programs, vanished Cold War experiments, desert rituals that sparked UFO waves, and the strange phenomena buried in America’s forgotten backroads — Art brings a rare combination of skepticism, awe, and journalistic precision. He’s not here to debunk. He’s not here to blindly believe. He follows the evidence wherever it leads — even when it leads someplace deeply uncomfortable. Known for his immersive, cinematic style and his ability to turn obscure research into gripping narrative, Art has built a devoted following across podcasts, long-form features, documentaries, and serialized investigations. His interviews are direct. His analysis is unflinching. His voice has become a staple in the modern paranormal renaissance — the guy people turn to when a story is too strange, too complex, or too dangerous for anyone else to touch. Off-mic, Art works with a distributed network of researchers, archivists, and field operatives who help surface the stories mainstream media ignores. On-mic, he transforms their findings into meticulous, high-impact reporting that refuses to insult the intelligence of true believers. His philosophy is simple: Take the phenomenon seriously. Treat the audience with respect. Tell the story as if the world depends on it — because sometimes it does. When Art Grindstone digs into a case, he isn’t just chasing a mystery. He’s tracing the fault lines of reality itself.

In This Report(7)

Imagine a world where a simple drive can uncover mysteries, solve crimes, and even provide closure to families. Google Street View has transformed the way we see our surroundings, capturing moments that often go unnoticed. From the bizarre to the tragic, the images collected have led to the resolution of various mysteries. Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing cases.

Key Takeaways

Google Street View has solved numerous mysteries, from thefts to missing persons.
The technology has been both a tool for justice and a source of privacy concerns.
Some captured moments are humorous, while others are deeply tragic.

The Origins Of Google Street View

Google Maps launched in 2005, but the concept of using photography for mapping dates back to 1867. French cartographer IMA Lucid pioneered photogrammetry, allowing cartographers to create detailed maps using photographs. This technology evolved, leading to the creation of Google Maps and, eventually, Google Street View.

Fun And Quirky Discoveries

Where’s Waldo?
A blurry image from Google Street View revealed Waldo at 77 Putney High Street in London. The iconic character can’t hide from Google!
Pigeon People in Japan
A flock of individuals wearing pigeon masks was spotted in Musino, Japan. Are they furries or featheries? The mystery remains.
The Loch Ness Monster?
A strange figure in San Diego sparked rumors of the Loch Ness Monster, despite its Scottish origins.

Serious Cases Uncovered

Stolen RV
In 2010, a family’s RV was stolen. Their son spotted a man next to their driveway on Street View, leading to the arrest of the thief and the return of the RV.
Massive Bike Hoarding
An Oxford man was caught hoarding over 500 bikes, visible from Google Earth. Neighbors complained about a rat infestation caused by the bike pile.
Mugging in the Netherlands
A young man was mugged while biking. He later identified his attacker using Street View images, leading to an arrest.

Tragic Stories

Missing Person Case
William Mol disappeared in 1997. In 2019, a resident spotted his sunken car in a pond via Google Maps, providing closure to his family after 22 years.
Alzheimer’s Patient
Paulette Landrew, an 83-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s, wandered off in 2020. Two years later, Street View images captured her final moments, leading to the discovery of her remains.