Date of Recovery or Discovery

December 15, 2002

Description of Recovery or Discovery

On Sunday, 15 December 2002, at approximately 3 p.m., ramblers discovered the decomposed remains of an unidentified woman in Mad Bess Wood, an area within Ruislip Woods (also referred to as Copse Wood) near Ducks Hill Road in Ruislip, West London.

The body was found clothed and lying in the open, not hidden or covered. Police estimated it had lain undiscovered for around six weeks (or up to two months). Forensic teams thoroughly examined the scene.

The deceased was a white woman, approximately 5 ft 9 in (177 cm) tall, with a stocky build and short dark brown hair. She wore a size 16. Her teeth were in excellent condition, with no fillings or dental work evident. Isotopic analysis of her bones later indicated she was likely born in northern England and may have lived in the Blackburn or Chorley area for the previous 5–10 years.

No jewellery, money, keys, or identification documents were found on or near her. However, two unused syringes marked “insulin” lay close to the body, and a pair of binoculars in a case was discovered some distance away. Some of her clothing had been purchased on or after 23 August 1999 at Fosters Clothes store in Staines, England.

On Sunday, 15 December 2002, at approximately 3 p.m., ramblers discovered the decomposed remains of an unidentified woman in Mad Bess Wood, an area within Ruislip Woods (also referred to as Copse Wood) near Ducks Hill Road in Ruislip, West London.

The body was found clothed and lying in the open, not hidden or covered. Police estimated it had lain undiscovered for around six weeks (or up to two months). Forensic teams thoroughly examined the scene.

The deceased was a white woman, approximately 5 ft 9 in (177 cm) tall, with a stocky build and short dark brown hair. She wore a size 16. Her teeth were in excellent condition, with no fillings or dental work evident. Isotopic analysis of her bones later indicated she was likely born in northern England and may have lived in the Blackburn or Chorley area for the previous 5–10 years.

No jewelry, money, keys, or identification documents were found on or near her. However, two unused syringes marked “insulin” lay close to the body, and a pair of binoculars in a case was discovered some distance away. Some of her clothing had been purchased on or after 23 August 1999 at Fosters Clothes store in Staines, England.

No one matching her description had been reported missing. Officers appealed publicly for information, releasing a description and urging anyone who had seen anything suspicious in the woods in the preceding months to contact the incident room at Hendon (020 8358 0300) or Crimestoppers anonymously.

A facial reconstruction was created at the time to aid identification. In 2025, retired detectives involved in the original inquiry, including Karen Hunt and Brian Hook (who nicknamed the woman “Lilly”​), released an updated computer-generated image and renewed the public appeal. Despite these efforts and extensive checks against missing persons records, the woman has never been identified.

Multiple Victims?

No

Time of Death

Between six weeks to two months prior to recovery.

Suspected Homicide?

No