Mystery Man

It's been more than a year since "Karl" was discovered wandering aimlessly and confused around the central train station in nearby Mannheim. Not much is known about him other than the fact that he speaks English, is very interested in military aircraft and thinks he used to be Air Force pilot.

But after analyzing the way the man talks, police determined that he either comes from or spent significant time in southern England.

"The best indication is that he uses speech forms typical of the region," a police spokesperson said.

It's the first major clue as to who "Karl" might be, but the authorities remain puzzled by his occasional use of German words, and he doesn't match the descriptions of people who have been reported missing.

Karl is around 60 years old, relatively short and thin. He has a receding hairline, is missing some teeth and is distinguished by a twenty-centimeter-long scar on his stomach.

Piano Man in reverse?

The case is reminiscent of the story of the German-speaking "Piano Man," who mysteriously appeared in England two years ago also claiming to have lost his memory. He later turned out to be Andreas Grassl, a 21-year-old from a small village near Germany's border with the Czech Republic, who did not suffer from amnesia at all.

Currently living in a German nursing home, authorities said Karl has repeatedly expressed his desire to find out who he is and where he comes from.