Police facial reconstruction appeal to identify woman in River Mersey

On Thursday, March 21, a member of the public alerted the emergency services to a body found in the river, adjacent to Chorlton Water Park.

Despite extensive work over the last eight months, including detailed forensic, DNA and investigative work, the woman has unfortunately remained unidentified.

Further work is still to be done, but Greater Manchester Police has now released a facial reconstruction, which has been created by Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University.

The woman is said to be from a European background, around 5ft 1in tall, of a slim build with dark brown hair.

She was likely aged between 26 and 40, though she could have been older or younger.

She was discovered wearing a Primark neon-green strapless corset-style top, New Look branded Jenna black jeans sized eight, and dark green anti-slip socks – the type that are believed to be used in hospitals and care facilities, although they can be bought in shops and online.

The woman was found with items of clothing similar to these (Image: GMP)

She additionally had an elastic band and hair bobble on her wrist.

The woman was in the water for around one or two months, though it cannot be stated for certain exactly how long.

GMP says she may have entered the water in a surrounding area or region to Chorlton.

Further analysis of her body is due to be completed, but her cause of death is currently being treated as unexplained.

Finding out who she is will assist in establishing the circumstances in which she entered the water.

Police are urging anyone who may recognise the woman, or believes they have any information, to get in touch.

DI Louise Edwards said: “We have worked with numerous experts covering a wide range of forensic examinations and tests available to us, but we have sadly been unable to uncover the woman’s identity.

“We want nothing more than to reunite her with her family and friends.

“She could be someone’s mother, auntie, sister, or cousin – somebody out there will know who she is, and we want to ensure she gets back to her loved ones.

“If you have any information at all, please do get in touch with us.

“Even the smallest amount of information could greatly benefit in finding out who she is, and the circumstances which led to her sadly being discovered in the river more than eight months ago.”

You can contact GMP by calling 101, quoting log number 1191 of 21 March 2024, or by using the live chat service at gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, you can call the major incident team syndicate three directly on 0161 856 9479.

You can also anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.