Eight months after a woman’s body was discovered in a Manchester river, her identity remains a mystery. Now, police are hoping a newly released facial reconstruction will help solve the puzzle.
The woman’s body was found on March 21 by someone walking near the River Mersey at Chorlton Water Park. She was dressed in a neon-green Primark crop top and a pair of New Look jeans. Despite extensive investigations—including forensic tests, DNA analysis, and combing through missing persons databases—police have no leads on who she is.
On Friday, a detailed facial reconstruction was unveiled. Created by Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University, the image aims to jog someone’s memory. Authorities believe the woman may have been of European descent, aged somewhere between 26 and 40, though she could be slightly older or younger. She was petite, standing around 5ft 1in tall, with a slim build and dark brown hair.
One detail that stands out is her clothing and accessories. She was wearing dark green anti-slip socks—often used in hospitals or care homes—and had an elastic band and hair tie on her wrist. Police think her body might have been in the water for one or two months before being found. The Mersey is fed by two other rivers, the Tame and the Goyt, so it’s unclear exactly where she entered the water.
The cause of her death is still unknown, leaving investigators with even more questions. Detective Inspector Louise Edwards from Greater Manchester Police is urging the public to come forward with any clues.
“She might be someone’s mother, sister, or cousin,” said DI Edwards. “Somebody out there knows who she is, and we just want to bring her back to her loved ones. Even the tiniest bit of information could help us piece together what happened and give her the dignity she deserves.”
If you think you might know something, no matter how small, you’re encouraged to contact the police. Every little detail could help bring this tragic mystery closer to a resolution.
