The girl with the flower tattoo, who was murdered 31 years ago, has been identified

After three decades of anonymity, the woman known as “the woman with the flower tattoo,” a murder victim, has been identified as Rita Roberts.

Mode Recognize Mea collaborative effort led by Belgian, Dutch and German police in collaboration with Interpol, was instrumental in this breakthrough.

Rita Roberts, who was brutally murdered in 1992, was distinguished by a unique black flower tattoo on her left forearm. The discovery came when a family member identified the tattoo through a public appeal, leading to an official identification and a harrowing revelation about Rita’s life.

In a statement released by Interpol on November 14, Rita Roberts’ family expressed their shock and dismay, describing her as a passionate, loving and free-spirited sister.

While dealing with the difficult news, the family expressed their gratitude for the support of Missing Persons of Belgium, Antwerp Police, Interpol and Durham Police in the UK.

The cold case, known as “the woman with the flower tattoo”, dates back to June 3, 1992, when the woman’s body was discovered in the river “Groot Schijn” near Antwerp, Belgium.

For 31 years, the victim remained anonymous, prompting Belgian authorities to submit the case to Operation Identify Me, hoping the distinctive tattoo would trigger someone’s memory.

Rita Roberts, 31, had moved to Antwerp from Cardiff in February 1992. She was identified through a family member in the UK who recognized the tattoo in the news and alerted Interpol and the Belgian authorities.

The family officially identified Rita with PID, leading to the victim’s death certificate being amended to reflect her identity.

Describing Rita as a beautiful person who loved to travel, her family shared that she loved her family, especially her nephews and nieces, and always aspired to have a family.

The identification of Rita closes a long-standing mystery and Belgian authorities are now seeking any information from the public about Rita Roberts or the circumstances of her death.