It's an unsolved mystery that's nearing its 35-year-mark, and officials are hoping the public can help.
Back in December of 1985, the body of an older, Caucasian woman was pulled from the waters of the Burrard Inlet. The Jane Doe had been spotted by a crane operator at Versatile Pacific Shipyards (now Seaspan's Vancouver Drydock) in North Vancouver.
Following a post-mortem investigation, authorities determined the woman had likely drowned, however her identity remains undertermined to this day.
Now the North Vancouver RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are going public with key details about this Jane Doe in the hopes they can put a name on the case, and solve a decades-long mystery.
Here are the physical details provided by the BC Coroners Service:
- Caucasian female: 170 cm (5'6") in height;
- blue eyes with recently dyed blond hair; and
- two notable scars on the abdomen, including a 12.7cm (5") vertical scar (mid-abdomen) and a 5cm (2") lateral scar on the right side of the abdomen (her appendix had been previously removed);
- upper row of teeth replaced by dentures and lower row of teeth missing; and
- severe curving of the spine, consistent with scoliosis.
At the time of her death, she was wearing maroon pants (size 16, Sears brand), a long-sleeved black button-up blouse over a white turtleneck, a green wool vest with brown buttons, a grey wool winter hip-length coat and white dress gloves. The woman wore black zippered rubber boots. The label inside each boot had the word "Bella" written in blue pen.
In addition, the woman had some distinct personal effects on her person, including a good-luck horseshoe and a pair of gold earrings.
Authorities have also released a composite sketch of the Jane Doe.
Anyone with information that may help identify this individual is asked to contact either the North Vancouver RCMP at 604 985-1311, or the BC Coroners Service Special Investigations Unit (toll-free) at 1 877 660-5077 or by email at [email protected].
