Police appeal for witnesses as identity of woman found in Liverpool park remains unknown
Police were called to Stanley Park at around 5.25pm on Friday last week
Merseyside Police have called for witnesses to come forward as the identity of an elderly woman who was found dead in a Liverpool park remains unknown.
Police were called to Stanley Park at around 5.25pm on Friday last week, when the body of a woman in her 70s was discovered in a black bin bag in a walled garden, a press conference at Merseyside Police headquarters heard on Monday.
Detectives believes the woman’s body may have been at this location for a number of weeks, and a murder investigation is under way.
“Our team have since been carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the woman, but we have so far been unable to do so,” Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson, who is the senior investigating officer and head of the major incident team at Merseyside Police, told the press conference.
“So today, I want to take the opportunity to ask people to please consider whether you have any neighbours, family members or friends who live in the area, someone you may not have seen or heard from for a few weeks.
“Missing people reports in Merseyside and elsewhere have been checked but, so far, these have not resulted in an identification.
“Sometimes people go missing without those close to them realising, through holidays being planned, or simple misunderstandings, and so we may not have received a report of any concerns.”
The woman, believed to have been in her 70s, is white and around 5ft 2ins, of small build, and with strawberry blonde hair, Ms Wilson added.
She was also found wearing a pink Nike T-shirt.
“While we do not want to worry people unnecessarily, it is vital that we follow every possible lead, both to rule people out, and ultimately to identify the woman, notify her next of kin and apprehend the offender,” Ms Wilson said.
“This is a shocking crime.
“If you live in the area of Stanley Park in Anfield and have seen or heard anything suspicious in recent weeks, regardless of whether you have reported it or not, or whether you dismissed it as something trivial at the time, please come forward.”
Police have urged anyone with any piece of CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage which could be relevant to the investigation to come forward.
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ryan also told the press conference Stanley Park is a “very busy and popular green space” and has urged anyone who has visited the park in recent weeks to come forward if they believe they may have relevant information.
“Stanley Park is well known as being the park that separates the Anfield and Goodison football stadiums,” Mr Ryan said.
“It is visited by dog walkers and families, as well as people walking and exercising.
“It is quite possible that one or more of these visitors may have seen something suspicious recently and not reported it at the time.
“If you didn’t speak to us then, please do come forward now.
“With hindsight, what you saw, heard or captured on devices may have carried more significance than you realised at the time.
“We are particularly interested in speaking to those who have been in the area of the walled gardens in Stanley Park in recent weeks.”
Merseyside Police officers will be present in the area in the coming days, with a mobile police station set up in Stanley Park, according to the force.
“I want to reiterate Rachel’s appeal: if anyone recognises the description of this woman or you have any concerns whatsoever about someone you may know and haven’t seen or heard from recently, please tell us as a matter of urgency,” Mr Ryan added.
A post-mortem examination took place on Saturday, the results of which police have not yet shared.
Potential witnesses are urged to contact the force via social media, or to call 101 quoting reference number 26000706383.
Reports can also be made anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.