60 Writing Prompts Inspired by Real Unsolved Mysteries

60 Writing Prompts Inspired by Real Unsolved Mysteries

From the enigmatic disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 to the cryptic death of the Somerton Man, history is filled with baffling mysteries that continue to captivate our imagination. These unsolved cases—with their missing evidence, conflicting testimonies, and unexplained phenomena—provide the perfect foundation for creative storytelling. Whether you’re a mystery writer seeking inspiration or a true crime enthusiast looking to explore alternative theories, these sixty writing prompts transform real-world cold cases into opportunities for compelling fiction.

Each prompt takes a genuine unsolved mystery and suggests a unique narrative angle, ranging from supernatural horror and psychological thrillers to science fiction and historical drama. You’ll find prompts inspired by famous cases like the Black Dahlia murder and the Zodiac Killer, alongside lesser-known but equally intriguing mysteries such as the Lead Masks Case and the Flannan Isles Lighthouse disappearance. These suggestions encourage writers to explore different perspectives—from determined detectives and haunted family members to curious journalists and obsessed cryptographers—each offering a fresh lens through which to view these enduring enigmas.

The collection spans multiple continents and centuries, featuring mysteries from the colonial disappearance of the Roanoke Colony to modern technological puzzles like the Black Knight Satellite. Many prompts incorporate elements of different genres, allowing writers to blend historical facts with supernatural speculation, or combine true crime elements with science fiction concepts. This versatility enables storytellers to craft unique narratives while staying grounded in the compelling details of real unsolved cases.

What makes these prompts particularly powerful is their basis in actual events. The real-world foundation provides built-in atmospheric elements, historical context, and authentic details that can enhance any fictional narrative. Writers can draw upon documented evidence, witness statements, and historical records to add depth and credibility to their stories, while still having the creative freedom to imagine new possibilities and explanations for these unsolved mysteries.

For true crime aficionados, these prompts offer an opportunity to explore alternative theories and “what-if” scenarios that might explain these baffling cases. For fiction writers, they provide ready-made story frameworks complete with atmospheric settings, intriguing characters, and genuine historical mysteries that have puzzled investigators for years. Whether you’re crafting a short story, developing a novel, or simply exploring creative writing exercises, these prompts invite you to delve into the fascinating world where true crime meets imaginative storytelling.

Here are 60 Writing Prompts Inspired by Real Unsolved Mysteries:

1. 1. The Disappearance of the Sodder Children Suggestion: Write a mystery that explores how the children might have escaped the fire. Were they kidnapped before the fire started? Follow a detective or family member who uncovers strange clues and leads that point to a much larger conspiracy surrounding the family’s life.
   2. The Dyatlov Pass Incident Suggestion: Create a supernatural thriller where an investigative team ventures to retrace the hikers’ journey. As they ascend the mountain, they begin to experience unexplained phenomena—voices in the wind, strange lights, and shadowy figures watching them.
   3. The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Suggestion: Write a suspenseful narrative about a group of people who believe they’ve cracked the code to find D.B. Cooper’s hidden ransom money. The closer they get to their goal, the more they realize they’re being hunted by someone—or something—connected to the mysterious hijacker.
   4. The Tamam Shud Case Suggestion: Write from the perspective of a cryptographer trying to crack the cipher in the Tamam Shud case. Their obsession with solving the code leads them to uncover a web of espionage, international conspiracies, and a dangerous secret society.
   5. The Hinterkaifeck Murders Suggestion: Create a psychological thriller where a detective slowly unravels the unsettling history of the Hinterkaifeck farm. Use the eerie atmosphere and tension of the isolated location to develop a character who starts seeing strange, unexplainable things in the house.
   6. The Beaumont Children Disappearance Suggestion: Write a story from the perspective of a sibling or friend of one of the missing children, who has grown up with the case unresolved. They decide to take matters into their own hands, facing dangers as they uncover long-buried secrets from the past.
   7. The Flannan Isles Lighthouse Disappearance Suggestion: Craft a horror story set on the desolate lighthouse island. After the disappearance, a new keeper arrives, only to realize the lighthouse is haunted by the ghosts of the previous keepers—who may have uncovered something otherworldly in their final days.
   8. The Black Dahlia Murder Suggestion: Write a detective noir story in which a down-on-his-luck investigator is hired to solve the Black Dahlia case, only to become obsessed with the victim’s mysterious life. The more he digs, the darker the trail gets, leading him to a dangerous obsession with uncovering the truth.
   9. The Zodiac Killer Suggestion: Tell the story of a Zodiac survivor who has grown up under the shadow of the murders. They try to put their life together but are drawn back into the case when new letters from the killer appear, suggesting the killer might still be alive—and closer than expected.
   10. The Missing Colony of Roanoke Suggestion: Write a modern-day mystery where an archaeologist finds strange artifacts linked to the lost Roanoke colony. As they dig deeper, they discover evidence that the colonists may have been victims of an ancient alien encounter or a forgotten curse.
   11. The Strange Death of Elisa Lam Suggestion: Write a supernatural horror story where a group of travelers stay in the infamous hotel where Elisa Lam died. They start to experience strange occurrences, each one more terrifying than the last, as they uncover an evil presence linked to Elisa’s death.
   12. The Vanishing of Flight 370 (Malaysia Airlines) Suggestion: Create a sci-fi thriller in which a small team of scientists discovers that Flight 370 didn’t just disappear—they traveled to an alternate dimension. The story follows their efforts to rescue the missing passengers and return home before the rift closes forever.
   13. The Ghost Blimp Suggestion: Write a suspenseful military mystery where a group of soldiers stumbles upon the wreckage of the ghost blimp, only to find it still occupied by strange, otherworldly entities. What happened to the original crew, and are they still out there, waiting for someone to join them?
   14. The Boy in the Box Suggestion: Write from the perspective of a child growing up in the neighborhood where the boy was found, haunted by the mystery of the child’s death. Their obsession with the case leads them into a dangerous investigation that uncovers a long-running pattern of disappearances.
   15. The Strange Death of Rudolph Fentz Suggestion: Write a time-travel thriller where a man from the 19th century mysteriously appears in modern-day New York. His story seems impossible, but he may hold the key to an ancient mystery or artifact that has the power to change history.
   16. The Lead Masks Case Suggestion: Write a detective story where two men are found dead under bizarre circumstances, wearing lead masks. The protagonist uncovers a hidden society of individuals who practice a dangerous, ancient ritual that involves both science and the supernatural.
   17. The Lost Treasure of the San Pedro Mountains Suggestion: Create an adventure story where a group of treasure hunters ventures into the San Pedro Mountains to find the lost treasure. Along the way, they uncover clues about the treasure’s origins—leading them to confront the dangerous history of those who hid it.
   18. The Disappearance of Harold Holt Suggestion: Write a political thriller about an Australian journalist investigating the disappearance of Harold Holt, only to find himself entangled in a larger conspiracy involving global espionage and a plot to erase certain figures from history.
   19. The Mystery of the Isdal Woman Suggestion: Write from the perspective of a detective investigating the Isdal Woman’s mysterious death. As he follows the trail, he uncovers evidence that she was not who she seemed, and was linked to a secret life involving espionage or a dangerous criminal syndicate.
   20. The Phantom Barber of Pascagoula Suggestion: Write a horror story about a town plagued by strange happenings—someone sneaks into people’s homes while they sleep and cuts their hair. As the townspeople try to solve the mystery, they uncover a terrifying truth about the barber’s intentions.
   21. The Missing Franklin Expedition Suggestion: Write a chilling tale where a modern-day archaeologist uncovers an abandoned, frozen campsite with clues that suggest the original expedition may have been the victims of an ancient curse or otherworldly forces. What secrets were hidden on the frozen tundra?
   22. The Mystery of the Yuba County Five Suggestion: Create a suspense story from the perspective of one of the missing men’s family members, who believes they’re still alive. Their search leads them deep into the mountains, where they uncover a hidden community or something far more sinister than they expected.
   23. The Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa Suggestion: Write a mob thriller where a young investigator who knows too much gets too close to solving the mystery of Hoffa’s disappearance. He’s pulled deeper into a dangerous underworld where everyone is a suspect.
   24. The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood Suggestion: Write a psychological drama from the perspective of someone who believes they know what happened to Natalie Wood, uncovering conflicting testimonies, hidden motives, and mysterious figures connected to her death that could change Hollywood’s legacy.
   25. The Taman Shud Case (The Somerton Man) Suggestion: Write a historical fiction piece set in 1940s Australia, following a retired investigator who discovers a newly-found clue to the Somerton Man case. This sends him down a rabbit hole of espionage, murder, and betrayal, with enemies at every turn.
   26. The Death of Percy Fawcett Suggestion: Write an adventure story where a modern-day archaeologist becomes obsessed with Fawcett’s disappearance. Their expedition to find the lost city of Z leads them to encounters with hostile tribes, ancient ruins, and signs that Fawcett may have found something far more dangerous than gold.
   27. The Disappearance of Brian Shaffer Suggestion: Write a psychological thriller in which a detective becomes personally involved in solving the disappearance of Brian Shaffer, only to be haunted by the feeling that Brian’s disappearance may be linked to supernatural events or a twisted game.
   28. The Black Knight Satellite Suggestion: Write a sci-fi mystery about a group of astronauts who discover the Black Knight satellite while on a mission. As they investigate its strange signals, they unlock alien messages and realize they may be standing on the verge of first contact.
   29. The Mystery of the Somerton Man’s Code Suggestion: Write a story about a young cryptographer who stumbles upon the Somerton Man’s uncracked code. As they begin to decode the message, they discover a terrifying conspiracy involving secret organizations and a deadly mission that someone is still carrying out.
   30. The Disappearance of the Mary Celeste Suggestion: Write a supernatural horror where the crew of a modern-day research ship goes missing, and a search team stumbles upon the Mary Celeste, long abandoned but somehow preserved. As they board the ghost ship, they uncover a chilling mystery that seems to replay itself over and over.
   31. The Mysterious Death of Ambrose Bierce Suggestion: Write a dark tale where a writer follows in the footsteps of Ambrose Bierce, attempting to uncover his final fate. As they delve deeper into the search, they begin to encounter strange occurrences that mirror Bierce’s own writings, hinting at his fate being tied to a supernatural event.
   32. The Bennington Triangle Disappearances Suggestion: Write a horror story set in the Bennington Triangle, where a group of hikers disappears, leaving behind only cryptic messages. A local investigator stumbles upon a portal to another dimension hidden within the mountains, but the dangers of crossing it could be fatal.
   33. The Isdal Woman’s Secret Life Suggestion: Write a spy thriller where an ex-spy tries to uncover the truth about the Isdal Woman’s identity. As they delve deeper, they uncover a covert operation tied to espionage and hidden enemies who will stop at nothing to keep the secret buried.
   34. The Disappearance of Harold Holt Suggestion: Write a conspiracy thriller where a young journalist uncovers evidence suggesting that Harold Holt’s disappearance was not accidental, but part of a government cover-up involving secret underwater technology, and an international plot to erase powerful figures.
   35. The Mystery of the Lead Mask Case Suggestion: Write a psychological thriller where two mysterious deaths lead a detective to investigate a secret cult. The victims, who wore lead masks, may have been participants in an occult ritual that went horribly wrong. The more the detective digs, the more they feel drawn into the cult’s sinister influence.
   36. The Lost City of Atlantis Suggestion: Write a fantastical adventure where explorers discover an ancient city beneath the ocean that is more advanced than any civilization on Earth. The city holds untold treasures and knowledge—but also a deadly curse that once wiped out its inhabitants and threatens to do the same to the explorers.
   37. The Mystery of the “Mokele-Mbembe” Suggestion: Write an adventure story where a team of cryptozoologists venture into the Congo Basin to find the Mokele-Mbembe. What they uncover is not just the legendary creature, but an ancient, hidden civilization whose secrets are best left undisturbed.
   38. The Lead Mask Case (Brazil) Suggestion: Create a suspenseful story in which a former investigator is drawn back to the site of the Lead Mask deaths years later, only to uncover a series of strange disappearances tied to the same mysterious ritual. As they dig deeper, they must face an unthinkable truth.
   39. The Disappearance of Loretta Lynn’s Family Suggestion: Write a gothic mystery where a woman investigating her family’s past finds strange journal entries from Loretta Lynn’s ancestors. As she digs into their history, she uncovers a dark secret and must confront the same fate that befell the missing family members.
   40. The Ghost Ship of the Carpathia Suggestion: Write a horror story set on the Carpathia’s ghost ship, where a group of modern sailors uncover the haunting truth behind the Titanic rescue. The ship holds an ancient curse, and as the crew unravels the mystery, they become the next victims of the vengeful spirits aboard.
   41. The Disappearance of the Sodder Children (Part 2) Suggestion: Write a story where a family member, now an adult, returns to investigate the strange circumstances of their siblings’ disappearance. What they discover goes far beyond a tragic fire, leading them into a tangled web of secret societies and corruption in their small town.
   42. The Death of Mary Rogers (The Mystery of the Unidentified Woman) Suggestion: Write a Victorian mystery about a private detective investigating the mysterious drowning of a beautiful young woman whose identity was never confirmed. As the detective uncovers connections to a powerful family, they realize the death was not an accident but a carefully orchestrated crime.
   43. The Zodiac Killer’s Identity Suggestion: Write a speculative fiction story where a modern detective solves the Zodiac Killer case, only to discover that the killer was a victim of circumstance—an innocent person manipulated by a powerful organization to carry out murders for political gain.
   44. The Murder of the Villisca Axe Family Suggestion: Write a dark historical fiction piece about a small-town detective who becomes obsessed with the gruesome Villisca Axe murders. Their investigation reveals a complex set of motives, hidden family secrets, and a shadowy figure who’s been haunting the town for generations.
   45. The Disappearance of the Crew of the Mary Celeste Suggestion: Write a supernatural thriller about a group of paranormal investigators who board a replica of the Mary Celeste to uncover the truth of its eerie disappearance. As they sail into the fog, they realize they may be facing the same fate as the ship’s original crew.
   46. The Mystery of the Roanoke Colony Suggestion: Write a science fiction story where a group of researchers accidentally discover an ancient alien artifact while investigating the Roanoke colony’s disappearance. The artifact leads them to a hidden underground civilization and a terrifying revelation about humanity’s true origins.
   47. The Disappearance of Flight 19 (Bermuda Triangle) Suggestion: Create a story about a young pilot who follows in the footsteps of Flight 19, a squadron that vanished mysteriously over the Bermuda Triangle. The pilot encounters strange phenomena and eventually finds himself trapped in a time loop where history repeats itself.
   48. The Strange Death of the Somerton Man Suggestion: Write a psychological horror story about a researcher who becomes obsessed with the death of the Somerton Man. As they dig deeper into the case, they begin to lose their grip on reality, believing that they are somehow connected to the mysterious man and the hidden message he left behind.
   49. The Disappearance of the USS Cyclops Suggestion: Write an alternate history where the disappearance of the USS Cyclops is linked to a top-secret government experiment involving the manipulation of time and space. A modern-day historian stumbles upon evidence of the experiment and uncovers a shocking truth that could change everything.
   50. The Death of the Black Dahlia Suggestion: Write a noir detective story set in post-World War II Los Angeles, where a down-and-out PI investigates the Black Dahlia case. As they dig deeper into the actress’s life, they uncover a tangled web of secrets involving Hollywood elites, corruption, and a shadowy underworld.
   51. The Lost Treasure of the Oak Island Suggestion: Write an adventure story about a group of treasure hunters who return to Oak Island, determined to finally uncover the fabled treasure. As they unearth the island’s mysteries, they are confronted by an ancient secret society that will stop at nothing to keep the treasure hidden.
   52. The Disappearance of Brian Shaffer Suggestion: Write a psychological thriller in which the disappearance of Brian Shaffer takes on a paranormal twist. The protagonist, a close friend of Brian, begins to see him in dreams and visions, leading to a disturbing discovery about an interdimensional portal linked to his disappearance.
   53. The Isdal Woman’s Identity Suggestion: Create a spy thriller about an international operative investigating the mysterious death of the Isdal Woman. Their investigation takes them through several European countries, uncovering a shadowy group who has been operating in secret for decades—and will stop at nothing to protect their hidden agenda.
   54. The Phantom Airship Mystery Suggestion: Write a steampunk-inspired mystery about a series of sightings of an enormous, ghostly airship across Europe in the early 20th century. A young inventor attempts to uncover the mystery, only to discover that the ship is a vessel from a parallel dimension—one that may never leave.
   55. The Death of Natalie Wood (Part 2) Suggestion: Write a suspenseful thriller where a journalist starts investigating the events surrounding Natalie Wood’s mysterious death, only to find that she was the victim of a deeper conspiracy involving multiple people trying to cover up the truth for decades.
   56. The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five Suggestion: Write a haunting mystery in which a group of hikers who disappeared in the Sierra Nevada reappear in the present day—but they have no memory of the years spent lost. As they try to rebuild their lives, they begin to experience strange flashes of a life that may have been lived in a parallel world.
   57. The Black Knight Satellite Theory Suggestion: Write a thriller about a secret government project to investigate the Black Knight Satellite. As the team digs into its origins, they discover evidence that it holds alien technology—and that the satellite’s true purpose is far more dangerous than anyone ever imagined.
   58. The Disappearance of Flight 370 Suggestion: Write a conspiracy thriller where a journalist uncovers a worldwide cover-up regarding the disappearance of Flight 370. As they investigate further, they discover the passengers were the victims of an interdimensional experiment gone wrong.
   59. The Mysterious Death of Ambrose Bierce (Part 2) Suggestion: Write a historical fiction piece where a young reporter tracks Ambrose Bierce’s final days, uncovering clues that suggest Bierce may have faked his own death to escape a dark secret tied to his past—a secret that’s still being guarded by powerful people.
   60. The Mystery of the Lead Mask Case (Part 2) Suggestion: Write a supernatural horror story where a modern investigator uncovers a new lead mask case, revealing that the deaths were part of a twisted ritual to contact another dimension. The investigation becomes personal as the investigator begins experiencing visions of the victims calling for help.

These sixty writing prompts represent just a fraction of the storytelling potential hidden within history’s unsolved mysteries. Each case offers countless narrative possibilities, allowing writers to explore different genres, perspectives, and theoretical explanations for these enduring enigmas. From supernatural horror to historical fiction, from psychological thrillers to science fiction adventures, these prompts serve as gateways to compelling stories waiting to be told.

Writers are encouraged to conduct their own research into these fascinating cold cases, as the actual historical details often prove more intriguing than fiction. Many of these mysteries contain lesser-known elements that could spark additional story ideas or provide crucial details that add authenticity to your narrative. Police reports, newspaper archives, witness testimonies, and historical photographs can all serve as valuable resources for grounding your fictional exploration in compelling reality.

The beauty of working with real unsolved cases lies in their inherent ambiguity. These mysteries remain unsolved precisely because they contain elements that defy easy explanation—making them perfect fodder for creative interpretation. Whether you choose to provide concrete answers in your fiction or maintain some of the original mystery, these cases offer rich territory for examining themes of uncertainty, human nature, and our eternal quest to understand the inexplicable.

While these prompts suggest specific genres and approaches, they should be viewed as starting points rather than limitations. A horror prompt could be reimagined as a cozy mystery, or a historical fiction concept could be transformed into a futuristic thriller. The key is using these real-world mysteries as springboards for your own unique creative vision, while respecting the historical events and people involved in these cases.

For writers seeking inspiration in true crime, unsolved mysteries, or historical enigmas, these prompts offer a wealth of possibilities. Each case presents an opportunity to blend factual elements with imaginative storytelling, creating narratives that both entertain and explore the human experience of confronting the unknown. Whether you’re drafting a short story, planning a novel, or simply exercising your creative muscles, these unsolved mysteries provide fertile ground for compelling fiction that bridges the gap between historical fact and creative speculation.