Woman's body found in black bin bag in Liverpool park as police appeal for witnesses in 'shocking crime'

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Officers investigating the murder of a woman in her 70s in a busy Liverpool park said her body was found in a black bin bag.

A murder investigation was launched by Merseyside Police after the body of a woman was found in the walled garden at Stanley Park.

Detectives have not been able to identify the woman as they launched an appeal for more information.

While a post-mortem examination has now taken place, the results have been withheld "for investigative reasons".

The woman was described as white, aged in her 70s, about 5ft 2in tall, and of small build with strawberry-blonde hair, and was wearing a "distinctive" pink Nike T-shirt.

Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson told a press conference the body is believed to have been there for a number of weeks, despite the park's location between Liverpool's Anfield Stadium and Everton's Goodison Park.

She said: "As this work continues, be assured that we are doing all we can to identify the person or persons responsible and bring them to justice...this is a shocking crime.

"If you live in the area of Stanley Park and Anfield and have seen anything or heard anything suspicious in the recent weeks, regardless of whether you have reported it or not, or if you consider it trivial, please come forward."

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ryan said: "Stanley Park is well known as being the park that separates the Anfield and Goodison [Park] football stadiums.

"It is a very busy and popular green space, especially in the recent summer weeks. It is visited by dog walkers and families, as well as people walking, playing, and exercising.

"It is quite possible that one or more of those visitors may have seen something suspicious recently and not reported it at the time.

"If you didn't speak with us then, please do come forward now. With hindsight, what you saw, heard, or captured on devices may carry more significance than you realized at the time."

DS Wilson said; "Our team has since been carrying out extensive inquiries to identify the woman, but we have so far been unable to do this.

"We believe that her body may have been in a black bin bag at this location for a number of weeks.

"Forensic work relating to this continues, as do all other lines of inquiry.

"We're carrying out house-to-house, CCTV, and other inquiries as a matter of urgency. But of course, the methodical nature of such work can mean it will take time."

Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police, quoting reference 26000706383.