Glasgow cold case sleuths probe identity of 'Port Logan Woman' who washed up on beach 16 years ago

A hunt has been launched to uncover the identity of a woman whose body was found on a Scottish beach 16 years ago.

Dubbed ‘Port Logan Woman’, she was found on a beach at Port Logan, Stranraer, on November 22, 2006.

She is believed to have been in the water for six months before washing ashore, meaning she may have gone missing in spring or summer earlier in the year.

Following research into tidal flows, the weather and location of where her body was found, investigators now believe she may have entered the water in the Dublin Bay area of Ireland.

A series of posters, social media posts, a video and a dedicated webpage will appeal for help from the public in Ireland over the coming weeks.

The campaign, launched by the Scottish Cold Case Unit (SCCU) at Glasgow Caledonian University and the missing persons charity Locate International, will use an updated facial reconstruction image of the ‘Port Logan Woman’ produced last year.

“We hope the facial reconstruction jogs someone’s memory and adds more pieces of the puzzle as to who she might be,” said Dr Maureen Taylor, co-director of the SCCU.

As part of the appeal, the team have produced a list of more than 400 contacts across Ireland who will be encouraged to share details of the case.

It is thought the woman was between 30 and 50 years old, had a thin build and was between 4ft 11in and 5ft 4in tall.

She was wearing size ten black Bay Trading trousers, a white BHS size 34c bra and tan-coloured tights when she was discovered.

Dr Taylor stated: “The team have been undertaking a number of enquiries around the clothing she was wearing, a geographical profile of the location she was found, sea and air incidents and missing women from the UK and Ireland.

“Although she was found in south west Scotland, it may be that she had lived in, spent time in, or had travelled to or from Ireland.

“Is there a friend or relative that you haven’t heard from or lost contact with who may have gone missing in the spring or summer of 2006?

“Is there someone who used to come to your place of work or leisure activities that you no longer see?”

Anyone with information can email ColdCaseUnit@gcu.ac.uk or complete a form online https://bit.ly/3bQA2hD.