DE04 - The body in the carpet

Case name: The body in the carpet
Case code: 2023-DE04

Reconstruction of soft facial tissues from the year 2002

Place of discovery: port at the Weser in Bremen

Place of discovery: port at the Weser in Bremen

Silver-colored pendant earring set with a red stone, gold-colored stud earring with stamped in writing: ‘NIFREE’, Hairgrip front side with flashy green butterfly Hairgrip backside: material: plastic with metal clip. It is likely that the jewelry is of Russian origin.

The carpet into which the victim was rolled - Polyamide carpet, size 2 x 3 meter, with colorful pattern and red border.

The carpet into which the victim was rolled - Polyamide carpet, size 2 x 3 meter, with colorful pattern and red border

Cloth (probably duvet cover) with floral pattern in blue, red, purple and green, light base color

A remnant of probably flowered light linen bedding in which the victim was wrapped, color: red-greenish

Section of woven fabric cover with green-red-blue stripes

Close-up of woven plastic material of fabric cover

Plastic sack, ribbon fabric, light, 100 x 60 cm, with color markings green-red-blue

Blue plastic cords and light-dark, diagonally striped jute rope used to tie the 'packing materials' around the body

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• Date of death (estimated): 30 June 2002
• Date of discovery: 30 July 2002
• Location: Germany: Port at the Weser in Bremen
• Sex: Female
• Estimated year of birth: 1967-1980
• Estimated age: 22 to 35 years old
• Height: 167 cm
• Skin tone: Fair complexion
• Hair colour: 43 cm long, dark blond hair dyed golden blond, wavy, probably permed, overall well-groomed
• Eye colour: Unknown
• Clothing: The woman was wearing only light cotton pants size 140, a child’s size
• Tattoos, birth marks, scars: An examination of the body revealed that the woman may have given birth between 1985 and 1999 (live or stillborn). No other conspicuous scars or tattoos were found on the body.
• Jewellery: The woman was wearing a silver earring with a red stone on her right ear, believed to have been manufactured in Ukraine (Kharkov) in 1956 by what was known as a jewel combine. It may have been bought in another country.  On her left ear, she was wearing a gold-colored earring with a dark stone. She also wore a conspicuous hair clip with a neon green butterfly design made from plastic with a metal clasp and probably of Russian origin.

The case

The body was found in the Weser river at a marina, on 30 July 2002 wrapped in sheets, a plastic sack, a fabric cover and a carpet and tied up. It was found by a recreational boat skipper who saw the 'bundle' floating in the water at the marina alerted police.

Police believe that the body had been floating in the Weser river for about four weeks. This river flows from Lower Saxony through the area south of Bremen and then through Bremen.

Until today, it has not been possible to establish the cause of death, but the woman had injuries to her throat.

Characteristics

A reconstruction of soft facial tissues was prepared by police experts which may give an impression of the woman's appearance. With a weight of 50 to 55 kg, the woman was very petite and, despite her presumed age of 22 to 35 years, of almost childlike build. She wore purple nail polish on the manicured, longer nails of her fingers and toes. There was a gold-colored base coat under the purple top coat nail polish. It could be what is referred to as 'Nail Art'.

The woman had temporary fillings in two teeth (Z14 and Z26), covered with a product also used in Germany.  Signs indicate that the dental work had not been completed and took place not more than several weeks or a few months before her death.

There is information suggesting that the woman may have given birth between 1985 and 1999 or had a stillborn child. If born, the child was probably between 3 and 17 years old when the woman died and would be aged 24 to 38 now.

The earring with the red stone was manufactured in Ukraine (Kharkov) but it may also have been sold in other countries. The word 'NIFREE' (meaning nickel-free) is engraved on the gold-colored earring stopper. This unusual jewellery could be a clue to her identity.

The woman had thick, curved, full eyebrows, her pubic and armpit hair were shaved. Her appendix was in place. Her body was wrapped in a conspicuous multicolored blanket with a red border.

Contact
If you have any information regarding the possible identity of this person, please contact the German national police via the form below.

You can also contact them and view this case on their national police website.

Identify Me: DE04 - The body in the carpet

If you have any information regarding the possible identity of this person, please contact the national police.

Contact INTERPOL and the German police