Case name: The woman in the IJ river
Case code: 2023-NL08
- Date of death (estimated): May 2004
- Date of discovery: 17 May 2004
- Location: The Netherlands: In the IJ river in Amsterdam
- Sex: Female
- Estimated year of birth: 1969 - 1988
- Estimated age: Between 16 and 35 years old
- Height: Probably around 1m 60
- Skin tone: Brown-skinned
- Hair colour: Unknown, probably dark hair
- Eye colour: Unknown
- Clothing: Jeans of the brand HUI YANG, size S, underwear of the brand After Eden. Shoe size 34.
- Tattoos, birth marks, scars: The appendix had been removed, which may have left a noticeable scar.
- Jewellery: None
The case
On 17 May 2004, the captain of a tugboat found a large bag in the IJ river in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The bag was found to contain the lower body of a woman.
Characteristics
Based on a hair found, it may be concluded that the woman had mid-length hair. Her appendix had been removed, and she had never given birth.
The woman suffered from chronic anaemia and serious osteoporosis. Based on the DNA, it was established that the woman, or her ancestors, likely had roots outside of Europe, probably in Africa.
The sports bag in which the woman was found was sold by Makro in 2004 and was often included in businesses’ Christmas gift packages for their employees. A C&Q logo was printed on the bag.
Contact
If you have any information regarding the possible identity of this person, please contact the Dutch national police via the form below.
You can also contact them and view this case on their national police website.
If you have any information regarding the possible identity of this person, please contact the national police.
