Interpol’s Breakthrough: Solving the "Woman in the Chicken Coop" Cold Case

The Woman in the Chicken Coop Identified

By: Shane Lambert
March 20th, 2025

This article is part of a short-term series where I do deep dives at some solved cases to see the circumstances. Click on the label "Deep Dive at a Solved Case" to see other similar articles.

A promising breakthrough emerged in Interpol’s "Identify Me" campaign on Thursday, March 20th, 2025. This campaign, designed to identify missing people across international borders, cracked a haunting cold case. Detailed in a CBS article titled "Transcontinental cold case solved as victim dubbed 'woman in the chicken coop' is identified," the story reveals a long-awaited resolution.

Breakthrough in the Case

A Paraguayan woman, once a Jane Doe known only as "the woman in the chicken coop," has been identified as Ainoha Izaga Ibieta Lima, aged 33. Found hanged on a farm in Girona, Spain, in August 2018, her death remains a mystery—was it suicide or murder? The CBS report leaves it unclear.

Locals couldn’t identify her, and without ID, she stumped authorities for years. Then, a 2019 missing persons report from her brother became the key. Today, her family faces a bittersweet moment: closure, yet sorrow.

Not the actual setting. Use for likeness purposes only.

Who is Interpol and What is the "Identify Me" Campaign?

Interpol, or the International Criminal Police Organization, is a global powerhouse founded in 1923. Based in Lyon, France, it unites 195 member countries to tackle cross-border crime.

Its "Identify Me" campaign, launched in 2023, focuses on over 40 unidentified women found dead in Europe. By tapping public appeals and forensic archives, it’s cracking cold cases like this one.

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Why Fingerprints Still Matter

This breakthrough hinged on fingerprints, not DNA—a nod to the enduring power of traditional forensics. Spanish authorities supplied prints that Paraguay matched to their records.

Since the late 19th century, fingerprints have been a cornerstone of police work. This case proves they’re still vital when DNA isn’t an option.

Historical Echoes and Similar Cold Cases

I searched for "woman in the chicken coop" predating this news. No digital hits emerged—perhaps it was a local or Spanish nickname lost to my English keywords.

It echoes other Jane Doe monikers, like Saskatoon’s "The Lady in the Well" (murdered in 2006, dead since the 1920s—see my clue!). Interpol’s campaign also names victims by circumstance: "the woman with the flower tattoo" or "the woman in the canal."

What's Next?

This solved cold case is a win for Interpol’s "Identify Me" effort, but many mysteries remain. What do you think—could old-school forensics crack more cases? Share your thoughts below!