Interpol, in collaboration with police forces from six European countries, is revisiting investigations into the deaths of 46 women who were either murdered or died under suspicious circumstances, with a goal of identifying their remains. According to Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock, the renewed effort aims to provide answers to grieving families and seek justice for the victims.
This initiative builds upon Interpol’s 2023 “Identify Me” appeal, which asked the public for help in identifying 22 deceased women. The appeal resulted in nearly 1,800 tips, which ultimately led to the identification of a woman found murdered in Belgium 31 years ago. The woman, Rita Roberts, a British national, was recognized by a family member who identified her tattoo: a black flower with green leaves.
The current endeavor has been expanded to include cold cases from France, Italy, and Spain, as well as from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, which were part of the initial appeal. Interpol hopes that even the smallest detail could help resolve these cases. “Whether it is a memory, a tip, or a shared story, the smallest detail could help uncover the truth,” Stock noted.
In pursuit of this mission, police forces will pool their resources and utilize advanced forensic techniques, such as DNA profiling and facial reconstruction, to aid in identifying the remains of these women. Interpol has also shared “Black Notice” alerts for these cases on its website. Traditionally restricted to law enforcement, these notices now provide public access to information that may lead to a breakthrough. Each alert contains biometric data and physical descriptions, including details about the body or clothing, which may help someone recognize a missing loved one.
By reopening these cold cases, Interpol and the participating countries hope to bring long-awaited closure to families and bring justice to these women who remain unidentified.
