Can You Help Solve The Mystery of Missing Iwona?

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Police reappeal after Polish student with Wandsworth contacts vanished in 2000

Police have launched a new appeal for help tracing a Polish student who vanished without a trace over 15 years ago.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the disappearance of Iwona Kaminska to come forward.

The 20 year-old went missing just four days after arriving in the capital from Poland. After leaving an address in Hammersmith on Thursday, July 2000 13, she vanished without a trace.

Officers believe that Iwona was kidnapped and possibly murdered, and they are now offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person, or people responsible, for her disappearance.

Iwona's distraught family has joined the latest appeal to encourage new witnesses to speak to the police on what should have been her 36th birthday, on Friday 22 January.

Speaking from his home town in Moliborzyce, Poland, her devoted father, Jan Kaminski said, "We have endured 15 years of utter heartache. Iwona was excited to be visiting London to see friends and improve her English language. She was in constant contact with her family and adored her brother and sister.

"No contact from Iwona was out of character and we instantly knew something had happened to her. Someone took her from us all those years ago and we need answers to move forward with our lives.

"Today (January 22nd) is Iwona's birthday and she should be celebrating turning 36. Instead of celebrating we have spent 15 years longing to hear from our lovely daughter."

Officers are aware that Iwona arrived in the UK on Sunday July 9 2000. It was her first visit to the country and she went straight to a friend's address close to the Arndale Centre - now Southside - in Wandsworth.

Whilst she had been planning to tour the city and improve her English, Iwona was put in contact with a Polish-owned business in Hammersmith. She agreed to work some casual shifts at a shop premises and had been at the venue packing drinking glasses on Thursday July 13 2000.

She had planned to finish work and meet her friend back in Wandsworth at around 7pm but she failed to arrive and her friend reported her missing to police the next day.

Following previous appeals police are aware that Iwona would usually leave the shop in King Street, Hammersmith at 5pm. She would have planned to board the 220 bus which runs from Hammersmith bus station to Wandsworth.

On July 13 CCTV seized in the Hammersmith area revealed Iwona travelling to work in the morning, but she was never captured on any local cameras again.

Iwona is described as white, 5ft 2in tall, with light-brown, curly shoulder-length hair. She was of slim build and was last seen wearing dark-coloured trousers, black shoes and a dark green knee-length jacket. She was also carrying a small black leather handbag.

Detective Constable Nicola Williams, of the Met's Special Casework Investigation Team, who is leading the investigation, says, "After 15 years we have no choice but to fear the worst for Iwona. We have conducted several appeals over the years but now, 15 years on, hope that someone who was unable to contact us before will be able to assist now.

" We hope the reward of £10,000 and the courageous words of Iwona's family will urge someone with that last vital clue will speak to us."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Incident Room on 020 7230 4294; alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

January 24, 2016