Homicide investigators are hoping a 3-D model of the face of a woman found dead on the North Shore two years ago can help bring progress to a cold case. Members of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team came to the North Vancouver RC MP detachment June 19 to display the model made in co-operation with forensics specialists with the Vancouver Police Department.
A passerby discovered the woman's body in a wooded area off Curling Road in August, 2012.
"We do believe she was the victim of foul play. At this point, we need to do anything we can to identify her so we can contact her family and concentrate our efforts on finding who is responsible," said Sgt. Jennifer Pound, IHIT spokeswoman.
Police say the woman was in her mid-20s to early 40s, with a small build, between five-foot-two and five-footsix. She had long black curly hair and her articles of clothing were brands mainly sold in Europe, leading police to speculate she may have been visiting.
IHIT has been reaching out to police agencies in Europe to cross reference the known details with missing persons cases there but so far, there's been no luck.
"It's frustrating from an investigative standpoint but it's also really sad to think we haven't located somebody that has missed her," Pound said. "We are heavily relying on the public at this point to come up with any information they may have."
Pound stressed the model was an "approximation" based on the forensic and anthropological analysis of the remains, and not necessarily an exact likeness.
"We have to make efforts to keep our minds open when we're looking at this," she said. "We're not looking for you to look at this approximation and say 'I know who that is.' We're saying keep an open mind and, with all other information out there, if you have information about this, come forward and tell us."
The woman had injuries to her lower back that may have required she walk with a brace at some point in her life. She also had extensive dental work that would have been noticeable for anyone speaking with her.
