‘Woman with the flower tattoo’ victim identified decades after her death in Belgium

Rita Roberts, 31, had moved to Antwerp from the Welsh capital, Cardiff, in February 1992. The final her household heard from her was a postcard in Could of that 12 months. After that, she vanished.

“Our passionate, loving and free-spirited sister was cruelly taken away,” Roberts’s household mentioned in a statement on Tuesday. “While the information has been troublesome to course of, we’re extremely grateful to have uncovered what occurred to Rita.”

The household traveled to Belgium to satisfy with investigators and formally establish Roberts in particular person.

Roberts is amongst 22 girls thought to have been murdered in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands previously 40 years, however who’ve by no means been recognized by authorities. Investigators suspect, based mostly on the proof, that they’re from overseas. However they’ve been unable to pin down who they’re, the place they’re from and why they have been abroad.

In Could, Interpol shared details of the chilly instances, together with facial reconstructions, hoping that somebody may acknowledge them and are available ahead. Usually, such particulars, often called “black notices” are made out there solely to police.

Black notices can embody data on the place the physique was discovered, biometric data together with DNA and fingerprints, dental charts, bodily descriptions of the physique or clothes, and different objects discovered on the scene.

In a video shared by Belgian police in May, the presenter mentioned that, along with the distinctive tattoo, Roberts was carrying “hanging” DAG-brand sneakers, a T-shirt with the phrases ‘SPLINTER,’ and darkish blue Adidas sweatpants.

To date, Roberts is the primary to have been recognized, though the opposite chilly instances supply tantalizing clues.

Among the many unsolved instances, “The woman with the bracelet” was discovered wrapped in a plastic package deal in a creek close to an residence advanced within the Netherlands in 1995. In addition to a particular gold bracelet, she had two noticeable scars on her proper arm — one on the higher arm from the smallpox vaccination and one on the elbow. Police additionally deduced that she was a nail biter and possibly a heavy smoker, judging by the nicotine stains on her proper hand.

“The woman in men’s clothing” was present in a nature reserve northwest of Berlin in November 1988. Aged round 20 or 30, she was carrying a silver girls’ wristwatch with the numbers 22982 engraved on the again — which authorities surmised could possibly be the date 22 Sept. 1982, presumably a marriage date or vital anniversary. She additionally wore two conspicuous earrings on her proper ear; one leaf-shaped, and the opposite a grid-like, rectangular earring manufactured from blue metallic.

Since Could, investigators have obtained 1,250 ideas from the general public. The investigation into Roberts’ demise is continuous. Interpol mentioned Tuesday that she appeared to have been violently killed.

“Rita was a ravishing one that adored touring. She cherished her household, particularly her nephews and nieces, and all the time needed to have a household of her personal. She had the flexibility to gentle up a room, and wherever she went, she was the life and soul of the get together,” her household mentioned within the information launch Tuesday. “We hope that wherever she is now, she is at peace.”