Interpol Cold Cases: Does no one know the names of these 46 women?

They were murdered or the circumstances of their deaths are completely unclear: Interpol wants to clarify the identities of 46 women with a new campaign – and give them a name. Some of the cases date back many years.

Rita Roberts was 31 years old when she moved to Antwerp from her native Cardiff. It’s February 1992, and the last sign of life the family received from Rita was a postcard in May of that year. From then on, Rita Roberts was considered missing. Nor has she been linked to a body found in the Shijn River in June, washed up against a grate and, according to the autopsy, brutally murdered. The “Woman with the Flower Tattoo” from Antwerp was an unsolved case, a “cold case,” for three decades. She could only be identified in November last year: Shortly before, the case was opened via the “Identify Me” campaign, with pictures and known details. The family got in touch within two days – they recognized the tattoo.

“Identify Me” started in May 2023 with 22 unsolved cases or femicides. More than 1,800 tips were subsequently received from the public. “They were mistreated, killed and left behind – despite extensive investigations, the police still don’t even know their names,” says the German website of “Identify Me”. So far, “only” the case of Rita Roberts has been solved, but encouraged by the great public interest, Interpol has now launched another large-scale search for the identities of 46 women in cooperation with six European countries.

The women were either murdered or died under unclear circumstances – some of the cases go back years. The cases are listed on the Interpol website. For example, there is the girl who was only 15 or 16 years old and was found in the Main River in 2001. She had short, dark brown hair and was 157 cm tall. She was found wrapped in a leopard-print blanket that had been tied with several belts. According to the autopsy, the girl suffered serious facial injuries.

Not alone in the hotel room

Or the woman who was found in the hotel room in Premià de Mar near Barcelona in 1999. She was between 23 and 25 years old, 170 cm tall and had light brown hair. Her hands were tied together. What we also know: The woman was in the hotel accompanied by a man, about 165 to 170 cm tall, also in his 20s, “normal” height and stubble. He spoke English and French, and according to witnesses at the time, the couple could have come from near Geneva, from a town with “Ville” in its name.

Only two years ago, however, the body of a woman (60-70 years old) was found in the port of Ostend: In principle, all that is known about her is what she was wearing; She also had several scars. The circumstances of her death are completely unclear.

“Our goal with the Identify Me campaign is simple,” says Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock. “We want to identify the deceased, provide answers to their families and bring justice to the victims.” But Interpol cannot do it alone and therefore needs the public. “Even the smallest piece of information can make a difference” – be it just a reminder or a tip. In the six countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) prominent ambassadors are supporting the campaign; in Germany, for example, the former boxer and world champion Regina Halmich. Interpol explicitly states that although the victims were found in these countries, they do not necessarily come from these countries. (duo)

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