Isdal Woman

Isdal woman

Sketch created from study of morgue photographs to depict an estimation of the victim in life

Sketch of the woman
Born c. 1930s
Status Unidentified for 46 years and 6 days
Cause of death Blunt force trauma
Body discovered 29 November 1970
Isdalen Valley, Bergen, Norway
Resting place Møllendal cemetery, Bergen
Residence Unknown
Nationality Unknown
Occupation Unknown
Known for Mysterious death
Height 164 cm (5 ft 5 in)

The Isdal Woman (Norwegian: Isdalskvinnen) was found dead at Isdalen Valley in Bergen, Norway, on November 29, 1970. Long considered one of Norway's most profound mysteries, the case has been the subject of intense speculation for many years.[1]

Discovery

Isdalen Valley, where the woman was discovered.

On the afternoon of November 29, 1970, a man and his two daughters were hiking in the foothills of Mount Ulriken's north face, in an area known as the Isdalen Valley. They found a partially-charred naked female, hidden among some rocks, in an area popularly known as "Death Valley." Also found were a dozen pink sleeping pills (brand name "Fenemal"); a packed lunch; an empty quart bottle of "St. Hallvards" liquor; two plastic bottles that smelled of gasoline; and a silver spoon with the monogram filed off.[2] Investigators also found a burned passport.[3]

Investigation

An autopsy concluded the woman died from burns and carbon-monoxide poisoning. Her blood also showed traces of at least 50 sleeping pills.[3] Her neck was bruised, possibly by a blow, and her fingerprints had been sanded away. Her teeth indicated she'd been to a dentist in Latin America.[3][4]

Police immediately launched a full-scale investigation. They made composite sketches on the basis of witness descriptions and analysis of her body; these sketches were published in the media and circulated in many countries via INTERPOL.

They also found two suitcases belonging to the woman at a NSB train station in Bergen. Within the lining on one suitcase, police discovered 500 Deutsche Mark. Among other things, they also found clothing (all identifying labels removed); a lotion prescription (doctor's name and date removed); 130 Norwegian crowns; silver spoons similar to what was found at the Isdalen Valley site;[5] partial fingerprints on a pair of sunglasses;[6]; and some cryptic diary entries. Police later concluded the entries were coded dates and places the woman had previously visited.[7] An unusual dress was found as well; from that, police determined the woman had a somewhat provocative style, marked by Italian taste.

An Italian photographer's postcard was also found in the woman's luggage. When police spoke with him, he said he'd given her a lift to and had dinner with her at Hotel Alexandra in Loen. According to the photographer, the woman told him she was from a small town north of Johannesburg in South Africa, and she had six months to see Norway's most beautiful places. This line of inquiry went nowhere.

Police learned "Isdal Woman" had traveled around Norway and Europe with nine false passports: Jenevive Lancia; Claudia Tjelt; Vera Schlosseneck; Claudia Nielsen; Alexia Zarna-Merchez; Vera Jarle; Finella Lorck; and Elizabeth Leen Hoywfer.

Authorities eventually concluded the woman committed suicide.

Møllendal cemetery, where the "Isdal Woman" is buried

Witness Descriptions and Itinerary

Witnesses said the woman wore various wigs, and spoke French, German, English and Dutch. She'd stayed at several Bergen hotels, and repeatedly changed rooms after checking in.[8] She told staff at the various hotels she was a traveling saleswoman and an antiquities collector; she also left a standing order at several places for porridge with milk.

One witness said she overheard the woman talking to a man in a Bergen hotel. According to the witness, the woman said, "Ich komme bald" (German: "I am coming soon").

The last hotel "Isdal Woman" stayed at was the Hotel Hordaheimen (room 407, November 19-23). Staff told police she was good-looking, 5-feet-4-inches (164 cm) tall, with wide hips and small eyes. She appeared to be between 30 and 40 years old. Another Hordaheimen guest told police the "Isdal Woman" smoked South State cigarettes (a Norwegian brand). Staff noted the woman kept mainly to her room, and seemed to be on guard. When "Isdal Woman" checked out of the Hordaheimen on November 23, she paid her bill in cash and requested a taxi pickup. Where she was between this date and November 29 (when her body was found) is unknown.

The woman may have been to the Isdalen Valley before her body was found. A local man said he went to police after recognizing the composite sketch of her.[9] He said he told the officer on November 24, he was hiking with friends in the area. He encountered the woman and two black-coated men of "foreign appearance." She was elegantly dressed at the time — although the clothing was not appropriate for the outdoors or hiking — and her face was distorted by fear. As they passed each other, he said, she formed her mouth as if to say something — but appeared intimidated by the men, who were following her.

The 26-year-old said the policeman told him, "Forget her, she was dispatched. The case will never be solved." The young man waited for over 30 years before going public with the story.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tønder, Finn Bjørn. "Viktig nyhet om Isdalskvinnen". Bergens tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "Isdal Woman Case". The Doe Network. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Isdal Woman – Futility Closet".
  4. ↑ Yndestad, Monica. "Hær bæres Isdalskvinnen til sitt anonyme gravsted". Bergens tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "Isdal Woman Case". The Doe Network. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Gåten i Isdalen". nrk.no.
  7. ↑ «Cold clues from the Isdalen Valley», A-magasinet, 19. November 2010
  8. ↑ "Slo bensin over seg og tende på»". NRK.no. NRK. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  9. ↑ Yndestad, Monica (20 May 2005). "Turgåer møtte isdalskvinnen". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  10. ↑ Yndestad, Monica (20 May 2005). "Turgåer møtte isdalskvinnen". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 October 2012.

Further reading

External links

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