Isdal Woman
On November 29, 1970, a woman's burned body was found in Norway's Isdalen valley. All clothing labels were removed. She had used nine fake identities across Europe. Her fingerprints were sanded off. Despite being Norway's most famous cold case, her identity and cause of death remain unknown.
Norway’s most mysterious unsolved death.
The Discovery
On November 29, 1970, in Isdalen (Ice Valley) near Bergen, Norway, a burned body was found by hikers in a remote location.
The Clues
What was found: a partially burned body with sleeping pills nearby, petrol residue, melted rubber boots, and no identification.
The Removal
Evidence was systematically destroyed. All clothing labels were cut out, fingerprints were filed down, no dental records matched, diary entries were coded, and the identity was completely erased.
The Identities
She had used nine fake names across different countries, staying in hotels across Europe, speaking multiple languages, and meeting unknown men. A spy was suspected.
The Investigation
Police efforts included ruling it suicide (controversially), conducting an international search, checking fingerprints worldwide, and performing isotope analysis in 2017. The case remains unsolved.
The Theories
Who was she? Theories suggest a Cold War spy, intelligence operative, criminal on the run, or witness protection failure. The truth remains unknown.