Case name: The woman with the German keys
Case code: 2024-NL10
Date of death (estimated): 4 July 2004
Date of discovery: 4 July 2004
Location: The Netherlands: Meijendel dune area in Wassenaar
Sex: Female
Estimated year of birth: 1954-1974
Estimated age: 30 to 50 years old
Height: 168 cm
Skin tone: Light
Hair colour: Dark blonde
Eye colour: Blue
Clothing:
The woman was wearing clothing that was sold mainly in Germany and Switzerland and was noticeably wearing several layers of clothes, possibly because the weather at the time was wet and cold.
• Burgundy, low-heeled, patent shoes from the German brand “Ara”, size 7/40
• Black T-shirt (Lisa Campione-Linea Donna brand) with a zip on the back, and "LC" on the front in glitter
• Short black Joy-brand jacket, size 50, with a white stripe on the collar
• White Kitaro-brand fleece top, size M
• Colourful paisley patterned InScene-brand blouse, size L
• Dark grey HIS-label-brand trousers in stretch material with five pockets and shiny dark grey stripes, size 42/29
• Dark blue belt with metal buckle
• Cream-coloured Calida-brand pyjama-type trousers, Swiss size 5
• White Calida-brand pants (underwear)
• Anthracite grey fleece headband
• Black woollen/fleece shawl
• White socks with the brand name “Esprit” in red and pink
Tattoos, birthmarks, scars:
The woman had several scars:
• A 2-cm scar in the middle of her forehead
• A 1-cm scar on the tip of her chin, that was once closed with stitches and was not very noticeable
• A scar on the lower right part of her abdomen corresponding to an appendectomy
• A 5-cm clear white horizontal scar on her right upper leg, with two smaller scars (one above and another below it).
• A 4-cm vertical scar on the outside of her lower right leg.
Jewellery:
• Watch with two pictures of a cat and the “Royal Canin” pet food brand printed on it. The watch could be obtained as a promotional gift at the time by purchasing cat food.
• Apollo sunglasses with purple lenses
The case:
It was raining on Sunday 4 July 2004, the day of the final match of the UEFA European Football Championship 2004 when Greece beat Portugal. The Tour de France bicycle race had started a day earlier in Liège, Belgium.
Late that Sunday afternoon, a man walking through the dunes near the remote Wassenaar beach, near the Meijendel area, noticed a woman lying in the sand, close to beach post 93.
While the cause of death is unexplained and no traces of violence were found on her body, a crime has not been ruled out. Multiple indications point to the woman coming from Germany, but this is not conclusive.
Characteristics:
The woman had a sporty appearance and build. She had had extensive high-standard dental work.
A distinctive feature is that she was found wearing multiple layers of clothing, including two pairs of trousers.
Her keys, clothing, and glasses all seem to point to Germany, but no match has yet been made with a missing person case in Germany.
Isotope investigations indicate that the woman was possibly born and raised in Eastern Europe. Later in life she probably lived in the western part of Europe, possibly in the Netherlands or Germany, for at least five years.
She was found with three keys on a blue carabiner keyring, indicating she probably had access to a property. The keys were German brands (Wilka and Winkhaus). The Winkhaus key had been delivered to a company in Bottrop, Germany, about an hour's drive from the Dutch border.
Her distinct Royal Canin watch with cats on it could mean that she had or liked cats.
A police sketch has been made of the woman, based on a photograph of her face that was taken when she was found. This photograph is available on the website of the Dutch police.
If you have any information regarding the possible identity of this person, please contact the national police.
