Isdal Woman
| Isdal woman | |
|---|---|
 Sketch of the woman | |
| Born | c. 1930s |
| Status | Unidentified for 45 years, 2 months and 11 days |
| Cause of death | Blunt force trauma |
| Body discovered |
29 November 1970 Isdalen Valley, Bergen, Norway |
| Resting place | Møllenberg cemetery, Bergen |
| Residence | Unknown |
| Nationality | Unknown |
| Occupation | Unknown |
| Known for | Mysterious death |
| Height | 164 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
The Isdal Woman (Norwegian: Isdalskvinnen) is the subject of an unsolved case involving an unidentified woman found dead at Isdalen Valley in Bergen, Norway, on 29 November 1970. Considered one of Norway's most profound mysteries, the case has been the subject of intense speculation over the years regarding the identity of the victim, the events leading up to her death and the cause of death. Public interest in the case remains significant.[1]
The woman was found in a part of Isdalen popularly known as "Death Valley", which lies in the direction towards Mount Ulriken. Next to the scene police found a burned-out passport. The autopsy showed that the woman had suffered blunt force trauma to the neck and had taken several sleeping pills before she died. The official police report concluded suicide, but this conclusion is highly controversial.
Discovery
On 29 November 1970 at approximately 13:15, while hiking in the foothills of Mount Ulriken's north face, in an area known as the Isdalen Valley, a university professor and his two young daughters came across the partially charred remains of a naked woman hidden among some rocks at a remote hiking trail. Present at the scene were a dozen pink sleeping pills, a packed lunch, an empty quart bottle of liqueur, and two plastic bottles that smelled of gasoline.[2] A full scale murder investigation was immediately initiated and the case has since evolved to become the most comprehensive criminal case by the Bergen police.[3]
She had died from a combination of burns and carbon monoxide poisoning, and an autopsy showed traces of at least 50 sleeping pills in her body.[2] Her neck bore a bruise, possibly the result of a blow.[2]
Investigation
Police traced the woman to two suitcases that were found in an NSB train station in Bergen. Police also found that the labels had been removed from every piece of clothing she wore, and that her fingerprints had been sanded away.
In addition, police discovered a prescription for a lotion, but both the doctor's name and date had been removed. Within the lining on one suitcase police discovered 500 Deutsche Mark. Partial fingerprints were found on a few pieces of broken glass. They were insufficient for an identification, but police suspected that they belonged to the dead woman. The police were able to make composite sketches on the basis of witness descriptions and analysis made from the body; these sketches were published in the media and disseminated via INTERPOL in a number of countries.
Police eventually found out that the woman had travelled around Norway and Europe with nine different identities: Jenevive Lancia, Claudia Tjelt, Vera Schlosseneck, Claudia Nielsen, Alexia Zarna-Merchez, Vera Jarle, Finella Lorck and Elizabeth Leen Hoywfer. All of these identities were false. According to witness sightings the woman used various wigs, and in the trunk there were found several cryptic diary entries. The codes were later deciphered by police who concluded that they were coded dates and places the woman had previously visited.[4] The woman's teeth were thoroughly checked during the autopsy, and the way the dental work was performed indicated that the woman had been to a dentist in Latin America.
Witnesses reported that the woman had spoken several languages: French, German, English and Dutch. The woman had stayed at several hotels in Bergen. She had repeatedly changed rooms after checking in, when she wanted a room that had a balcony. In the papers she signed the cheque specified that she was a travelling saleswoman and an antiquities collector. The woman was presumably fond of porridge with milk, as this order was left at several of the hotels where the woman had stayed.
After the woman's suitcases were found, police sought the help of the city's most prominent textile retailers to identify her dress. It was concluded that the woman had a somewhat provocative style, which was marked by Italian taste.
Early in the investigation police contacted an Italian photographer who had given the woman a lift and had dinner with her at Hotel Alexandra in Loen. The Italian had previously been questioned in connection with a rape case, though those charges were dismissed. One of the Italian's postcards that were sold in Norway was also found in the woman's luggage. The photographer claimed the woman had told him that she came from a small town north of Johannesburg in South Africa, and that she had six months to see the most beautiful places in Norway. This line of inquiry did not lead to any new information about the woman's identity.
The last observation of the so-called Isdal woman was when she checked out of room 407 at the Hotel Marin. She paid in cash and then asked to be picked up by a taxi. The woman was described as 30–40 years old, 164 cm tall, wide hips, small eyes and good-looking. Hotel staff said the woman stayed mainly in her room, and seemed to be on guard. Another hotel guest told police that she smoked South State cigarettes, a native Norwegian brand.
One witness testified that she had overheard the woman while she was talking to a man across the hall in a hotel in Bergen and that she heard the woman say "Ich komme bald" (German: "I am coming soon").
Last moments
On 24 November, five days before the discovery of the woman, a local 26-year-old man was hiking with friends around the same area. He reported to have come across a woman of foreign appearance, her face completely distorted by fear. He noted that the woman was dressed elegantly, although not appropriately for being outdoors, let alone hiking in the hills. As they passed each other she formed her mouth as if to say something but appeared intimidated by two black-coated men who followed her. The men also had a foreign appearance.
The 26-year-old contacted the police after hearing that a young woman was found dead in the same area. He immediately recognized her from the composite sketches, but according to him the policeman with whom he spoke answered "Forget her, she was dispatched. The case will never be solved", he followed the advice, waiting 32 years to tell the story publicly.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Tønder, Finn Bjørn. "Viktig nyhet om Isdalskvinnen". Bergens tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- 1 2 3 "The Isdal Woman – Futility Closet".
- ↑ Yndestad, Monica. "Hær bæres Isdalskvinnen til sitt anonyme gravsted". Bergens tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ↑ «Cold clues from the Isdalen Valley», A-magasinet, 19. November 2010
- ↑ Yndestad, Monica (20 May 2005). "Turgåer møtte isdalskvinnen". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 October 2012.
Further reading
- Osland, Tore; Operasjon Isotopsy, Bergen 2002 ISBN 9788299656412
External links
- Isdal Woman at the Doe Network