A decades-old mystery surrounding the death of an unidentified woman on the A1 near Baldock, Hertfordshire, may finally be closer to being solved. Known as ‘Baldock Woman,’ the woman was fatally hit by a car on February 18, 1975. For nearly 50 years, her identity has remained unknown – until now. Thanks to a rediscovered newspaper article from Cambridge News and new leads from investigators, there is fresh hope in identifying her.
The Tragic Night on the A1
On the early morning of February 18, 1975, drivers spotted a woman walking in the middle of the A1. Shortly after, she was hit by at least one car and died at the scene. She was found barefoot, with clean feet, suggesting she hadn’t been walking long. There was no bag, ID, or any clue to her identity, leaving investigators with a perplexing mystery.
A New Lead from a 1972 Newspaper Article
Recently, investigators from Locate International, a charity that works on cold cases, discovered a potential breakthrough. A 1972 article from the Cambridge Evening News mentioned a 20-year-old French student named Odile Ledoux. She had been studying English at Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (now Anglia Ruskin University) and had been involved in a house fire. The article listed her address as 143 Sturton Street, Cambridge.
Odile’s description matches that of Baldock Woman, and the timing aligns with when the woman was known to have lived and studied in Cambridge. This discovery has led investigators to actively search for information about Odile in both the UK and France.
The Liversedge Connection: Clues from the Past
In 2010, a couple named David and Barbara Liversedge came forward after seeing a facial reconstruction of Baldock Woman. They recalled a young French woman they had met in 1972 while she was hitchhiking in London during a thunderstorm. The woman, who gave her name as Anna or Odile, stayed with the Liversedges for a while. She was between 23 and 25 years old and mentioned being from north of Paris.
During her stay, she spent time at the Stotfold Social Club and worked at Plug International, a souvenir manufacturer in Henlow, Bedfordshire. She later mentioned traveling to Cambridge to study English, which aligns with the newspaper report about Odile Ledoux.
The Morning of the Incident: Witness Statements
On the morning of her death, a milkman reported picking up a distressed woman along the A1. She seemed scared and disoriented, and he tried to reassure her. He believed she hadn’t traveled far. Witnesses later indicated that she might have gone by the name Anne, Anna, or a similar variation, alongside the possible name of Odile Ledoux.
Investigators also suspect that the woman may have experienced physical harm in the months leading up to her death, adding another layer of mystery to the case.
Appeal for Public Help: Key Details to Remember
Locate International is now urging the public to come forward with any information that could help identify Baldock Woman. Specifically, they are seeking anyone who:
- Remembers someone walking on the A1 early on February 18, 1975.
- Knew a French woman named Odile Ledoux studying English in Cambridge in the early 1970s.
- Worked at Plug International in Henlow, Bedfordshire, during the 1970s.
- Knew a French woman who frequented women-only or LGBTQ+ venues in the UK at that time.
Mark Greenhalgh, CEO of Locate International, emphasized the urgency: “Even after 50 years, we believe someone out there has the missing piece. If she were alive today, she’d be in her 60s or 70s. Time is running out to give her back her name.”
New Technology Brings New Hope
Forensic facial artist Hew Morrison has created updated images of Baldock Woman, working with the Liversedges to provide a more accurate depiction of her appearance. Morrison noted that advancements in technology allow for clearer, more realistic images, which may help someone recognize her after all these years.
“Nobody should remain unidentified, no matter how much time has passed,” Morrison said.
The discovery of the newspaper article about Odile Ledoux has injected fresh hope into a case that has puzzled investigators for half a century. With time running out and witnesses aging, investigators hope that these new images and the renewed public appeal will finally reveal Baldock Woman’s identity – and give her the dignity of a name after so many years.
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