Police seek public's help to identify woman found dead in Liverpool park
Merseyside Police have appealed for the public's help as they work to identify a woman whose body was found in a bin bag in Stanley Park, Liverpool, on Friday, August 28. The discovery was made by a passerby who contacted police at about 5.25pm, with officers arriving at the scene shortly after and launching a murder investigation.
The woman is believed to be in her 70s, described as white, about 1.57 metres (5ft 2in) tall, of small build, and with strawberry-blond hair. She was found wearing a distinctive pink Nike t-shirt, which investigators have highlighted as a key piece of evidence in their appeal.
At a press conference on Monday, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson, who is leading the investigation for the force's major incident team, said a post-mortem had been carried out the previous Saturday, but the results were being withheld for operational reasons. She added that forensic work was continuing and that officers were conducting house-to-house, CCTV, and other enquiries "as a matter of urgency," while acknowledging that the methodical nature of such work can take time.
Wilson said that missing person reports in Merseyside and elsewhere had been checked but so far had not led to an identification. She noted that sometimes people go missing without those close to them realising, through planned holidays or simple misunderstandings, and that the force may not have received a report of any concerns.
"I want to take the opportunity to ask people to please consider whether you have any neighbours, family members or friends who live in the area, someone you may not have seen or heard from for a few weeks," she said.
The police believe the body may have lain in the park, which separates Anfield and Goodison Park football stadiums, for several weeks before being discovered.
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ryan joined Wilson at the press conference and urged anyone with concerns about someone they have not seen or heard from to come forward. The police have also circulated an image of the type of t-shirt worn by the woman in the hope that it might jog someone's memory.
Local residents have expressed shock and concern, with one park user describing the area as "busy" and another saying she was "petrified to be alone in the park." RASA Merseyside, a charity supporting survivors of sexual violence, issued a statement saying it was "deeply saddened and shocked" by the murder.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them via the Merseyside Police website or by calling 101, quoting reference 26000706383. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Wilson described the murder as a "shocking crime" and said police were "doing all we can to identify the person or persons responsible and bring them to justice."