2002 digital reconstructions of the victim, jewelry, bundle containing the body and its contents.
2002 digital reconstructions of the victim, jewelry, bundle containing the body and its contents.
Date of Discovery: 30 July 2002
Location of Discovery: Port at the Weser River in Bremen, Germany
Estimated Date of Death: At least four weeks prior
State of Remains: Unknown
Cause of Death: Strangulation and/or forced drowning
Estimated Age: 22-35 years old (born 1967-1980)
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 167cm
Weight: 50kg
Hair: Dark blond, curly hair, 43cm long. Apparently dyed. Possibly permed, overall well-groomed. Thick eyebrows. Body hair shaved.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Slender build, described as having an "almost childlike" frame. The woman may have given birth between 1985 and 1999 (live or stillborn). Manicured, long nails with a gold-colored base polish and purple on the surface. Purple polish on her toenails. No scars, nor fractures. Light complexion. Appendix present.
Dentals: Available. Natural teeth had no anomalies. All wisdom teeth erupted. She had temporary fillings in two teeth (Z14 and Z26) which contained materials known to be used in Germany. The work appeared incomplete and recent, estimated to have taken place weeks to a few months before death.
Fingerprints: Unknown.
DNA: Unknown.
Clothing: Bright cotton slip (also listed as pants), size 140 (child size).
Jewelry: Hair clip with a sharp, green butterfly as ornament, possibly of Russian origin; silver earring with a red stone (manufactured during 1956 in Kharkov, Ukraine), in the right ear; golden earring with black stone in the left ear, with a gold-colored stopper engraved with "NIFREE," meaning "nickel free." The jewelry, described as unique, may aid with identification. Although at least one of the earrings originated from Ukraine, it is possible the woman obtained these items in a different country.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.
The body was found in the Weser river at a marina, by a boater who reported seeing a "bundle" on the surface of the water. A woman's remains were discovered at the center of the bundle, which was bound with strings and nylon cords.
The materials concealing the woman consisted of a 2m x 3m multicolored carpet with a red border; whitish linen sheets designed with red flowers with a green stem, with additional yellow coloration; what may have been a duvet/comforter bearing a similar design to the sheets (blue and purple coloration was also noted); an air cushion; and a light-colored bag made from woven plastic (resembling that of a tarp) with red, blue, and green markings. Tape was also used to secure some of the materials. The descriptions of these items differ between sources.
It was unclear if the body was disposed of near the location it was recovered from, or if it had been carried by the current from Lower Saxony to the marina.
The initial autopsy did not reveal the cause of death, but it was eventually determined that the victim suffered trauma to the neck, indicating she was strangled. It is also possible that she may have drowned after being deposited in the water.
It has been speculated the woman may have originally been from Eastern Europe.
Agency Name: Polizei Bremen
Agency Phone Number: +49 (0)421 362-3888 or +49 (0)611 55-13101
Agency E-Mail: via submission form
Interpol Case Number: 2023-DE04
Added: 7/19/13; Last Updated:11/20/23
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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