Merseyside Police and Liverpool John Moores University’s Face Lab have released a facial reconstruction of the woman found dead inside a bin bag in Stanley Park, in the most definitive step yet to establish her identity
A woman discovered dead inside a bin bag in Stanley Park, close to Liverpool’s iconic Anfield stadium, has been pictured for the first time. The reconstructed image was produced by Merseyside Police and Liverpool John Moores University’s (LJMU) Face Lab and represents the most significant breakthrough towards identifying the mystery woman.
A shocked dog walker made the gruesome find when they stumbled upon a bin bag in the Walled Garden section of Stanley Park on August 28.
Merseyside Police have previously stated the victim is between 60 and 80 years old, roughly 5ft 2in in height and of slight build, with strawberry blonde hair and dressed in a distinctive pink Nike t-shirt.
Officers later disclosed that she was malnourished and suffered from conditions including osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis.
The investigation team confirmed they had obtained a complete DNA profile of the woman, but despite searching the national database, no match was found.
Attempts to identify her through dental records have also proved impossible as she had no top or bottom teeth.
In an update on Friday (November 13), Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson, from Merseyside Police’s major incident team, revealed that the body in a bin bag was first spotted on July 13, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The senior officer stated “extensive enquiries” had been conducted since the body was found and more than a thousand homes in the surrounding area had been visited.
Detective Superintendent Wilson revealed that 181 names had been put forward for the woman, but the force has so far been unable to establish her identity.
She stressed that officers still believe the victim is from the Liverpool area due to where she was discovered.
In a fresh appeal, Det Supt Wilson said: “I am grateful for the expert work that the team at Face Lab have done to develop this image.
“This work takes some time to complete but we believe that we have a representative image of the woman. Now we need to know who she is.
“Do you recognise her or think you have seen her prior to 13 July? Do you have any information which could assist our enquiries? Please come forward and speak to us or if you don’t want to speak to the police then contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
“It is vital that we identify this woman and get the answers as to who was responsible for her murder.”
Professor Caroline Wilkinson, director of LJMU’s Face Lab, explained: “Face Lab is a centre of excellence relating to craniofacial identification and digital heritage. The Face Lab team have created a facial depiction to inspire recognition and assist the police in the identification of this woman and the forensic investigation into her death.
“The depiction was produced using our 3D computerised facial reconstruction system following anatomical and anthropometrical standards and the final image was created using photo-editing.”
Merseyside Police has yet to reveal the woman’s cause of death, previously citing investigative reasons for withholding the information. A formal inquest, which has key parameters including who someone is and how they died, has not yet been formally opened.
The investigation is being bolstered by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and National Missing Persons UK Team.
Detectives are treating the case as a murder inquiry. Speaking previously to the Liverpool Echo, Det Supt Wilson confirmed that identifying the victim remained the top priority.
She said: “That’s our focus, but that doesn’t mean we stop the work on the offender. But I do think the victim will lead us to the offender once we identify who she is.”
In a more recent statement, she urged the public: “We hope that the image of the woman combined with the physical description, clothing and ailments will jog someone’s memory. If you have information please get in touch with us as a matter of urgency.”
A force spokesperson added: “You can contact us on social media @MerPolCC, report information through our website at Home | Merseyside Police, or call 101 quoting reference number 26000706383.
“If you do not feel comfortable speaking to police directly, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is independent of the police and does not ask for your personal details.”