Baldock Woman
Can you help identify a woman fatally struck on the A1 near Baldock on 18 February 1975? 50 years later, she remains unidentified. Were you travelling on the A1 in Hertfordshire that day? Did you see a young woman walking in the road?
When she was found, she wasn’t wearing shoes, and her feet were not dirty – indicating she had not walked barefoot for long. She wasn’t carrying a bag, and she had no form of identification.
After an appeal in June 2010, which contained a facial reconstruction of the woman, a couple came forward to say they recognised her as a young French woman who, in 1972 was hitch-hiking on London’s North Circular road during a thunderstorm. She went on to stay with them in the Baldock area and they were able to give us some vital information.
· She could regularly be found in Stotfold Social Club sipping on a cider.
· She worked manufacturing souvenirs on an industrial estate in Henlow.
· In 1973, she said she was travelling to Cambridge to study at a language school.
· We understand she also had friends in Newquay, Cornwall.
A statement from a milkman who picked up Baldock Woman along the A1 shortly before her death said she had appeared scared or worried, and that he had sought to reassure her. He believed she had not travelled far.
We also believe she may have come to physical harm at some point in the months building up to her death.
Witness statements also suggest she may have used the name Anne, Anna, or a variation thereof, so we are now considering this name as well as Odile, which is one name she is said to have used.
Our investigations are currently focusing on a possible match in the 20th arrondissement in the north of Paris.
Updated artist’s depiction of the deceased in life (hair down) ©Hew Morrison
Updated artist’s depiction of the deceased in life (hair up) ©Hew Morrison
What we know:
The young woman 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.
Her body was found on the southbound carriageway of the A1 near the A507 slipway.
Description:
Female, approx 17 to 25 years old
Fair hair
Hazel eyes
Scar on her right leg
Right ear piercing
Clothing:
A distinctive brown Afghan coat like the one pictured on this page
Brown leather waistcoat
White cotton ‘Chelsea Girl’ blouse
White cotton smock with a floral pattern and imitation lace
Black Prisu jeans – possibly in a child’s size
Chiffon lace scarf
An image of the clothing the woman
was wearing
Questions you can ask yourself
We’re confident that after 50 years, Baldock Woman’s identity can be found thanks to just one person with one piece of information.
You may have elderly family, friends or neighbours who might be able to recall meeting or seeing Baldock Woman in the 1970s. If you could share our appeal with them or talk to them about this case, it may jog someone’s memory. The smallest piece of information could solve this case.
Do you remember, or remember anyone talking about, someone seen walking on the A1 in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 18 February 1975? This would have been such an unusual sight, someone would have discussed it or remembered it.
Do you remember anyone who matched her description named Anne or Anna in the early to mid 1970s? She could have had a French accent and spent time near London, or in Cambridge or Cornwall.
Did you work at Plug International making souvenirs in Henlow Camp, Bedfordshire, in the early to mid 1970s, or know anyone who did? Please share our Appeal with them.
Perhaps you worked on Henlow Trading Estate, Henlow Camp, Bedfordshire SG16 6DS for a different company and may have seen or spoken to her?
We understand she may have had relationships with women, and may have spent time in women’s only/gay friendly venues while in the UK. Do you remember seeing or meeting her in these spaces in the early 1970s?
Did you attend Stotfold Social Club in Bedfordshire during the 70’s and remember a French woman there? Please talk to any friends or neighbours you know who attended or worked at the Stotfold Club during that time, ask them if they remember her.
Do you live in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, or know someone who does? If so, do you remember someone who matches this description?
Do you know anyone by the surname Ledig or Ludig?
Does the picture of her clothing jog your memory? It is a very distinctive coat and may spark a memory from all those years ago.
Did you live or work in North Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire during the 1970s and remember a young woman with a French accent?
Did you ever offer a lift to a female hitchhiker during that period and remember a lady with a French accent?
Did you attend a language school in Cambridge and recollect someone resembling this description whilst you were there?
Below is an interactive map showing the locations Baldock Woman was known to have visited.
Please scroll through the slides to see if you remember seeing or speaking with her at any of the locations.
There is always hope, and you could be the person that makes the difference.
No matter how seemingly small the information you have, it really may be the answer we need. Information provided can be submitted anonymously, and submissions will be treated in confidence. Everything we receive will be reviewed by our dedicated team of volunteers. Please do not use this form for emergency assistance in locating a person. Please call 999.