New information about a young woman who fell to her death from a tower block in London 20 years ago has been released, along with a fresh appeal to identify her.
The unknown woman is believed to have fallen from the 21st floor of Wembley Point, a triangular office building now known as the WEM Tower London, into the River Brent on the morning of Friday 29 October 2004.
Locate International, a UK charity dedicated to solving missing person cases, has been trying to uncover the woman’s identity for years.
Two years ago, the charity released an image of an artist’s impression of her, along with images of some of the possessions she left behind, including a distinctive painting.
She also left behind £5.20 in cash, a used packet of Marlboro cigarettes, a copy of The Guardian, and a seven-day bus pass issued at 7.07am on Tuesday 26 October 2004 on Seven Sisters Road.
Despite numerous appeals, the woman is still only known as the Wembley Point Woman – and no one has been able to determine why she was at the building.
An artist’s impression of what she looked like. Pic: PA
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
New information uncovered
Locate International is now releasing new information gathered by speaking to witnesses.
One witness revealed he spoke to the woman a couple of weeks before her death, and that she told him she was distressed over her boyfriend’s health.
The charity said witnesses also suggested the woman walked “confidently” into the building before her death, indicating she was familiar with Wembley Point.
It has been suggested she may have worked there as a cleaner or contractor. Some have pointed out that the Skechers shoes she was wearing were often used by those in the hospitality and catering industry at the time.
The charity also says it has uncovered details about her wearing a cowrie shell ring, often linked to fertility, which may speak to personal challenges she faced.
It said other public tips have raised the possibility that she was connected to arts or community centres near Seven Sisters, specifically Chestnuts Arts & Community Centre.
“The idea that she may have been part of a local cultural group – perhaps one supporting asylum seekers from West Africa – has come up multiple times,” Locate International added in its new statement.
Her jewellery. Pic: PA
A painting she had. Pic: PA
Wembley Point Woman: Everything we knew before fresh appeal
The woman’s body was found just after 9am on 29 October 2004.
She was aged between 20 and 40, and was between 5ft 1in and 5ft 3in tall.
According to Locate International, she was wearing a maroon bomber zip-up jacket with fabric cuffs, made from a shiny plastic material.
She wore a black leather glove on her right hand and a very thin black polo-neck jumper. Over the top of this, she wore a claret crew neck jumper.
She wore black tights, trousers and black Skechers boots with a zip and buckle on the sides, a stud in the right ear and a watch with a black strap and silver face.
She also wore two rings: one white/silver metal ring on her ring finger on her right hand (cowrie shell shape) and a silver ring on her left hand’s little finger.
She has since been buried in a common grave with no name.
The watch case left behind by the young woman. Pic: PA
Questions the charity is still asking
Here is a summary of key questions Locate International is asking of people who may unknowingly have useful information:
- Because she is believed to have had a boyfriend: do you remember a friend or colleague having a girlfriend matching the woman’s description?
- Do you recognise her from hospital, social services, church or community outreach work? Perhaps you or someone you know was involved in community groups for victims of trafficking or asylum support?
- Could you put the charity in touch with businesses or services with strong ties to the West African community near Seven Sisters?
- Do you know someone familiar with local community centres in North London that may have had connections with African or Caribbean residents?
- Could you put the charity in touch with anyone who worked at Wembley Point in 2004, especially in security, cleaning, or as a contractor?
Anyone with information is urged to contact the charity on its website.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK