case 06-022590

It was the 29th of May 2006 when staff at St Helier’s hospital were notified of a woman sitting on a wall outside of the hospital complaining of abdominal pain. Staff tried to obtain details from the Mary Kofi woman but it became too difficult and her health was going down hill fast. Although the unidentified woman gave the name Mary Kofi, the true spelling of the name is still unknown nearly 19 years later. The Mary Kofi woman also said she was 47 years old but the NCA give the suggestion she was around 49 years old. She would be nearly 70 years old if she was alive today. Sadly packages of cocaine were found in the Mary Kofi woman’s body and she later died due to an overdose of the substance leaking into her body.

What is unknown is if the Mary Kofi woman ingested the packages of cocaine willingly or was she forced to take the substance?

Where was she delivering the cocaine? How did she get here? We know the Mary Kofi woman told staff she was from Accra in Ghana, is this information true?

Where is her bag and other possessions? The Mary Kofi woman wore a black sleeved dress with yellow and red abstract patters (Pictured), a pair of slide on black shoes and a Argent Swallow handkerchief with pictures of birds and Chinese writing but why is this all she had? could the information the Mary Kofi woman gave be correct that she may have come from Accra, Ghana, and did she enter the country illegally, either by her own choice or was she forced here? or was she more local to the Sutton County?

it’s been nearly 19 years now and other people may have escaped the same life the Mary Kofi woman lived and loyalties may not be as strong as they once were. Maybe one of those people will come forward and lay her to rest respectfully or maybe one of her family will see this and think, that’s my loved one? It might be hard for some to imagine but there has been success over the years and I still have hope for this case. There will always be a viable reason to identify someone, even if their name doesn’t need to be public, it will finally resolve a case leaving more time for others. Mostly though it will inform her loved ones of her passing, although difficult, they have a right to know.

Phil Brewer, Specialist Advisor on Modern Slavery to the Human Trafficking Foundation, said: “In scenarios like this, we often don’t understand the situation they would have found themselves in prior to their death. 

“It is quite possible that St Helier Woman found herself coerced or had been forced into carrying drugs and into bringing them into the UK. 

“That could be for a range of reasons: it could be threats against her or her family, or some financial issue. 

“Similarly, her family might not have reported her missing to the authorities for a good reason – for their own safety.” 

Without knowing who the Mary Kofi woman is, we are unable to tell if anyone else is at risk. That is why I need you to share this appeal, it could be beneficial in saving someone else from the same fate. So if you live in Sutton, this is your sign to share my appeal. Go on, copy a poster and put one up in your local shop, share it online or even with a friend. Ever share helps, every conversation about this case brings us a step closer.

Dave Grimstead, Locate International’s CEO and co-founder, said: “If any of these details sound familiar, or you think you might have known St Helier Woman, then please come forward – if you have any concerns for your safety, you can do so anonymously if you wish.” 

Anyone with information please contact Locate International by emailing appeals@locate.international, by calling 0300 102 1011 (in the UK) or on their website. 

You can also submit information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit their website

Alternatively you can also visit the UKMPU and give information directly on their website

Pre-mortem Injuries: Ingestion of cocaine, unknown if willing or forced.

Post-mortem Injuries:

Case number: case 06-022590

Type: Body

Gender: Female

Age range: 47 – 49

Ethnicity: Afro Caribbean

Height: 177cm (5ft 9ins)

Build: Large

Date found: 29 May 2006

Circumstances: Female found outside St Helier Hospital suffering from abdominal pain. She was found to have packages of cocaine in her stomach and died in hospital. She stated her name was ‘Mary Kofi’ (unknown spelling) and that she was 47 years old. However, also gave her date of birth as 27 April 1957. Believed she may have flown in from Ghana.

Cause of Death: Overdose

Possessions: Brand: Argent Swallow. Handkerchief with pictures of birds and Chinese writing

Address: St Helier’s Hospital

Town:

Locality: Sutton

County: Greater London

Police force: Met Police / NCA

Hair type: Short, Wavy

Hair colour: Black

Facial Hair: None

Eye colour (left): Unknown

Eye colour (right): Unknown

Case information: May have flown in from Ghana

Distinguishing features:

Clothing:

• Black 3 quarter sleeve dress with red and yellow abstract pattern
• Black slide on shoes
• Handkerchief with Argent Swallow logo with birds and Chinese writing beneath it

Jewellery: None

Body Parts: n/a

Bone Details: n/a

DNA: Unknown

Dentals: Unknown

Fingerprints: Unknown

Toxicology: Overdoes of cocaine

Maps:

Useful Links

WikiFandom “Mary Kofi“

Locate international “St Helier Woman“

UKMPU “case 06-022590“

Your Local Guardian “Mystery of ‘St Helier Woman’ remains unsolved 18 years on“