Interpol seeks help in identifying 46 ‘murdered’ women

The first phase sought to shed light on the names and fates of some 22 women whose bodies were found over the years.

Police in six European countries and Interpol are reopening investigations into 46 women who were murdered or who died under suspicious circumstances to identify their remains, the international police agency said on Tuesday.

The campaign, named Operation Identify Me, expands a 2023 initiative involving Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany and incorporates France, Italy, and Spain.

The first phase sought to shed light on the names and fates of some 22 murdered women.

That yielded some 1,800 tips from the public, including information that led to the identification of British woman Rita Roberts, via a flower tattoo, 31 years after her body was found in Belgium.

In the new probe, involving 46 cases, police forces will pool analytical capabilities and forensic methods, such as DNA profiling and facial reconstruction.

Details on each case have been made available on Interpol’s Identify Me web page, where facial reconstructions of some of the women have been displayed.

There are also images of items, such as jewellery and clothing, that were discovered at the various land and water sites where the women’s remains were abandoned.

“The participating member countries and Interpol are working closely together in the appeal to leverage their analytical capabilities and advanced forensic methods, such as DNA profiling, facial reconstruction, and isotopic analysis,” the international crime organisation said.

These techniques can provide significant clues about the victim’s origin, lifestyle, and cause of death."

Members of the public, particularly those who remember a missing friend or family member, are invited to consult the Interpol website and to contact the relevant national police team, should they have any information. Details can be found on www.interpol.int/IM.

“Our goal in the Identify Me campaign is simple: We want to identify the deceased women, bring answers to families, and deliver justice to the victims. But we can’t do it alone. That is why we are appealing to the public to join us in this effort. Their help could make the difference,” Interpol secretary general Jürgen Stock said.

“Even the smallest piece of information can be vital in helping solve these cold cases,” Mr Stock said.

“Whether it is a memory, a tip, or a shared story, the smallest detail could help uncover the truth. The public could be the key to unlocking a name, a past, and in delivering long-overdue justice.”