Merseyside Police have ruled out more than 70 names provided to them in connection with the body of an elderly woman found inside a bin bag, but the mystery surrounding the victim's identity remains.
The body, believed to be that of a woman in her 70s, was discovered in Liverpool's Stanley Park at around 5:25pm on August 28. The bag was found by a member of the public, with officers attending the scene and uncovering the remains, which are believed to have been there for several weeks.
73 names ruled out
Merseyside Police has now confirmed that 73 names have been supplied after publicity around the finding, but all have been ruled out. With forensic testing and further appeals for information also failing, the woman's next of kin cannot be informed of her death.
Detectives said on Friday that they have now received 160 reports from the public with possible information.
Victim description
The woman is described as 5ft 2in, of small build, and with strawberry blonde hair. She was wearing a "distinctive" cerise Nike t-shirt when she was found.
Officers have carried out CCTV checks, and appeals for more witnesses and further information are ongoing. The results of a postmortem have been withheld for investigative reasons, the force said.
Police appeal
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: "We understand that this will be distressing and worrying for people to hear and I want the local community to be reassured that we are doing everything in our powers to find the person or persons responsible and bring them to justice.
"We have carried out a number of lines of enquiry, including examining any missing people reports in the Merseyside and wider area, but at this stage we have not been able to identify the woman and would ask for the public’s help by coming forward with any information."
She continued: "Do you recognise the description of the woman or do you have any information about who she is? Please come forward and tell us what you know.
"I would also ask any walkers or dog walkers who have been in the park, and specifically the area of the walled garden, in recent days or weeks – have you seen or heard anyone acting suspiciously or do you have any information which could assist our investigation?
"Please speak to us as a matter of urgency."
A mobile police station had been in the vicinity of the park from August 30.
