Cold-case investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman killed near Baldock more than 47 years ago.
Charity Locate International has launched an appeal for information about the woman who died in a fatal Hertfordshire crash in 1975.
At 6.15am on February 18, 1975, a young woman – who is being referred to as Baldock Woman – was struck by one or more vehicles on the A1 near Baldock.
She has still not been identified.
She was wearing a distinctive Afghan coat at the time.
The person who was driving the vehicle that killed her has never been identified and they have never come forward.
Now, a major international appeal is being launched to finally find her name.
Volunteer investigators with Locate International – the charity behind 'The Missing' podcast – believe a breakthrough may be close.
“It’s clear that Baldock Woman lived a full life, and enjoyed the company of others,” said Dave Grimstead, founder and CEO of Locate International, “so it’s hard not to think of the people who missed her when she seemingly vanished – her family, her friends, all the people she met along the way.
"It’s not too late for us to tell those people what really happened to her, and your information can help us do that. No piece of information is too small to share – it can provide new clues, or new lines of enquiry that could prove crucial."
The young woman – believed to be French – was last seen by a witness at 5.30am, just 45 minutes before she was killed.
The witness stated that she had said that she was heading for London and that she spoke with a foreign accent.
The woman was thought to be between the age of 17 and 25.
She had fair hair and hazel eyes and a few distinguishing features: a scar on her right leg and a piercing in her right ear.
She wore:
⦁ a distinctive brown Afghan coat
⦁ a brown leather waistcoat
⦁ a white cotton ‘Chelsea Girl’ blouse
⦁ a white cotton smock with a floral pattern and imitation lace
⦁ black 'Prisu' jeans
⦁ a chiffon lace scarf.
When she was found, she wasn’t wearing shoes, wasn’t carrying a bag, and had no form of identification.
But, after an appeal in June 2010, which contained a facial reconstruction of the woman, a couple came forward to say they recognised her.
They recognised her as a young French student named Odile, who had stayed with them in the early 70s.
David Liversedge had met her in 1972 when she was hitchhiking on London’s North Circular during a thunderstorm. She then went on to stay with Dave and his wife, Barbara.
The young woman who stayed with the couple was between 23 and 25 years old and had said that she was from north of Paris or had lived in the northern part of Paris.
As a result, volunteers with Locate International have launched an appeal for information across France.
She also had friends in Newquay, Cornwall, and would often hitch-hike to visit them.
When she wasn’t visiting friends in Newquay, she could regularly be found in the Stotfold Social Club sipping on a cider.
She also worked manufacturing souvenirs on an industrial estate in Henlow, Bedfordshire.
In 1973, she then relocated to Cambridge to study at a language school.
The Liversedges did not see her again after her relocation, but believe that she may have been returning to visit given that the unidentified woman’s body was found only a few miles from their home.
Dave Grimstead added: “Did you ever meet her, or bump into her as she was hitchhiking? Did she ever tell you her name, or where she was from? Did she study at a language school with you?
“We’re confident that someone out there holds the key to us finally learning Baldock Woman’s real name and identity.
“So if she bears any resemblance, no matter how small, to someone you knew or have lost touch with, please get in contact with us. Your information alone can help us identify her.”
If you have any information, please contact Locate International by emailing appeals@locate.international, by calling 0300 102 1011 or by visiting https://locate.international/baldock-woman-2022-appeal-the-girl-in-the-afghan-coat/
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