Detectives have released new details about the medical conditions of a woman whose body was found in a bin bag in Stanley Park, Liverpool, at the end of last month. Merseyside Police were contacted by a member of the public at around 5.25pm on Friday, August 28, after a black bin bag was discovered in bushes in the walled garden.
When officers arrived, they found the body of the woman, who is believed to have been there for several weeks, possibly since early July. Four weeks on, police continue to appeal for information and say they have been unable to identify her despite repeated public appeals.
Forensic findings and health conditions
Following forensic tests, a DNA profile has been established, but there is no match on the national DNA database. The woman, aged between 60 and 80, also had no teeth, meaning dental records cannot be compared.
Police said she suffered from osteoporosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and arthritis in her hands. She was also malnourished, although it has not been possible to establish whether that was due to her age or neglect.
Murder inquiry and appeal for information
A murder inquiry was launched after the body was discovered. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: "The woman has no top teeth or bottom teeth, people have asked about dental records but we are unable to use that as a line of enquiry."
She added: "We also know that she suffered from osteoporosis, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and arthritis. From the forensic work we know she was malnourished, if that is as a result of neglect or her age we don't know. Clearly she had health conditions and is vulnerable."
Public response and ongoing enquiries
Wilson said around 200 people have come forward after door-to-door enquiries, adding: "A month on and we have not been able to identify this woman, she is the victim of a murder and the investigation team would love to give her a name. We don't know who she is and we don't know who the offender is but we are progressing all the lines of enquiry."
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: "We are hoping that reference to the woman's medical conditions will jog someone's memory and assist us in identifying her. Whilst we believe the woman to be aged around 70 we have not ruled out that she could be slightly younger or older and we would ask that people take that into consideration."
The woman has been described as white, around 5ft 2in, of slight build, with strawberry blonde hair. She was found wearing a pink Nike T-shirt, and police previously released an image of a similar garment to help someone recognise her. Merseyside Police said enquiries remain ongoing, with occupants of nearly 900 properties spoken to so far, and 126 women have been eliminated from the investigation.
