Mystery of ‘St Helier Woman’ remains unsolved 18 years on

On May 29, 2006, the woman was seen sitting on a wall outside the hospital complaining of severe pain in her abdomen. 

She was later discovered to be carrying drug packages in her stomach and was unable to give clear information to hospital staff before she died. 

Locate International, a charity which investigates cold cases of missing or unidentified people, has now released a living depiction image of the woman in the hope of solving the case. 

Investigators believe she may have been a victim of human trafficking. 

She told staff she had recently arrived from Accra, Ghana at Heathrow Airport. 

She said her name was Mary Kofi and that her date of birth was April 27, 1957, which would have made her 67 today. 

Phil Brewer, Specialist Advisor on Modern Slavery to the Human Trafficking Foundation, said: “In scenarios like this, we often don’t understand the situation they would have found themselves in prior to their death. 

“It is quite possible that St Helier Woman found herself coerced or had been forced into carrying drugs and into bringing them into the UK. 

“That could be for a range of reasons: it could be threats against her or her family, or some financial issue. 

“Similarly, her family might not have reported her missing to the authorities for a good reason – for their own safety.” 

The mystery woman was middle-aged, most likely in her late forties, and was around 5ft9 with a heavy build. 

She was of Afro-Caribbean descent and had red tips to her hair. 

On the day she had a scarf and a handkerchief with an ‘Argent Swallow’ logo. 

Can you help to identify this woman? (Image: Hew Morrison/Locate International)

Locate International asked people to ask themselves these questions: 

1. Were you in or near St. Helier Hospital in Sutton, South London, on May 29, 2006? Did you notice anything unusual or suspicious? 
2. Do you have any female relatives who were in their late forties in 2006, with ties to Ghana or other African countries, who are no longer in contact with you? 
3. Does the unique dress that St. Helier Woman was wearing remind you of clothing styles worn by someone you knew and lost touch with? 
4. Did you know of, or had heard about, this woman but couldn’t come forward at the time? Perhaps your allegiances have changed – now is the time to speak up. 

Dave Grimstead, Locate International’s CEO and co-founder, said: “If any of these details sound familiar, or you think you might have known St Helier Woman, then please come forward – if you have any concerns for your safety, you can do so anonymously if you wish.” 

Anyone with information please contact Locate International by emailing appeals@locate.international, by calling 0300 102 1011 (in the UK) or on their website.