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30/03/2010
Dutch Link To 'Body In Bag' Murder
Historical inquiry detectives investigating the discovery of a woman's dismembered body inside a bag in Camden nine years ago now believe the crime could be linked to a similar murder in Rotterdam.
Paula Fields was found in Regent's Canal in several holdalls on 19 February 2001. Her body was dismembered and the head, hands and feet were missing.
In 1990, officers in Rotterdam discovered a body in Westersingel canal. The victim was identified as 33-year-old Melissa Halstead.
In February 2009 both these investigations were linked and a unique Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed.
DCI Howard Groves, Homicide and Serious Crime Command and Lian Berenpas, Dutch Police representative last night appeared on BBC Crimewatch to launch a new appeal to catch those responsible for the murders.
DCI Groves said: "These two women were killed and their bodies disposed of in the most callous and undignified manner possible.
"Someone out there knows who committed these attacks and we appeal to anyone who has information which will allow us to catch the killer to come forward."
A postmortem on Ms Fields, held on 21 February 2001, failed to determine the cause of death.
Her body was not clothed. It was wrapped in a white plastic bag and then put into a black bin liner. The body was believed to have been in the water for between several weeks or several months.
The wrapped body parts were placed in six bags and weighed down with bricks and tiles.
Ms Fields moved to London in about 1998 and lived in Highbury Grove N5, in a bedsit.
It is believed she had worked as a prostitute and was known to use drugs, in particular crack cocaine.
Ms Fields's sister Valerie reported her missing at the end of January 2001 and a missing person appeal went out the same month.
(PR/BMcC)
Paula Fields was found in Regent's Canal in several holdalls on 19 February 2001. Her body was dismembered and the head, hands and feet were missing.
In 1990, officers in Rotterdam discovered a body in Westersingel canal. The victim was identified as 33-year-old Melissa Halstead.
In February 2009 both these investigations were linked and a unique Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed.
DCI Howard Groves, Homicide and Serious Crime Command and Lian Berenpas, Dutch Police representative last night appeared on BBC Crimewatch to launch a new appeal to catch those responsible for the murders.
DCI Groves said: "These two women were killed and their bodies disposed of in the most callous and undignified manner possible.
"Someone out there knows who committed these attacks and we appeal to anyone who has information which will allow us to catch the killer to come forward."
A postmortem on Ms Fields, held on 21 February 2001, failed to determine the cause of death.
Her body was not clothed. It was wrapped in a white plastic bag and then put into a black bin liner. The body was believed to have been in the water for between several weeks or several months.
The wrapped body parts were placed in six bags and weighed down with bricks and tiles.
Ms Fields moved to London in about 1998 and lived in Highbury Grove N5, in a bedsit.
It is believed she had worked as a prostitute and was known to use drugs, in particular crack cocaine.
Ms Fields's sister Valerie reported her missing at the end of January 2001 and a missing person appeal went out the same month.
(PR/BMcC)
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