Norma Girolami: ‘Heartbroken’ family offer £20,000 reward for helping trace missing 70-year-old’s remains

A £20,000 reward has been offered to locate the remains of a woman who disappeared more than a year ago.

Norma Girolami, 70, from Highgate in north London, vanished in 2021 after returning from a day trip to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.

She has effectively vanished and despite a man being charged with murder last October, police have still not located her remains.

Officers say her body may have been buried in a public space or graveyard.

Now a reward of up to £20,000 has been offered by her “heartbroken” family for information leading to the location of her remains.

Cousin Pia Graham said: “It’s now a year since Norma went missing and there is still no sign of where she might be, even though the police have been working tirelessly to try to find her.

“My cousin was a life-affirming, loving, kind and thoughtful 70-year-old lady.

“She would never have left us in the lurch, and we can only imagine nightmarish thoughts of what may have happened to her.”

Mrs Girolami lived alone, had no children, and income from a small property portfolio.

After she was last seen in August 2021, a murder investigation was launched in the October.

She lived in Highgate and regularly travelled to shop at Brent Cross via public transport, and was a member of Archway Leisure Centre.

A £35,000 loan in her name was taken out shortly after her disappearance.

She liked to visit Leigh-on-Sea, in Essex, and made a trip there on Thursday, August 19, 2021, taking the train from Barking and returning to London later that day.

All communication from Norma stopped that evening.

Ms Graham said: “A number of us in Norma’s family, and her friends are already challenged by daily life, whether it be due to poor health, getting older, or just difficult circumstances.

“[We] have now had to face this bewildering and painful loss of a loved one who just seems to have vanished and apparently without any clue as to how this happened.

“Our connection to Norma has suddenly been severed.

"No more cheery emails or funny texts from her to brighten our days.

“No more carefully chosen cards to commemorate anniversaries, or uplifting messages - Norma certainly had a way with words.

"The person we all loved has just gone.

“And we do not feel we can even have a church service for Norma while she is still missing.

“The whole situation is heartbreaking, as much as it is shocking.”

She added: “So, please, please, as we have asked in the past, if you think you saw the woman in these photos on or around August 19-20 last year, and no matter how vague your recollection, get in touch with the police and let them know.

“Thank you”

Det Ch Insp Kate Blackburn, who is leading the investigation, said: “Since August 19, 2021, there has been no communication from Norma and no proof, or indication, that she is still alive.

“For those reasons we have to conclude that there is sadly no doubt Norma is dead.

“Did you meet with Norma in London, at the leisure centre or in Leigh-On-Sea?

“You may have information that could help bring Norma’s family the answers that they so desperately need.

“We are aware of the possibility that her body may have been buried in a community space or a graveyard.

“Did you see anything unusual in the days following August 19, 2021, perhaps involving a grey coloured Kia Niro car that we have appealed for previously?

“If you saw something that seemed odd to you, no matter how insignificant it may seem please do give us a call and share what you saw."

Serkan Kaygusuz, 41, of Sparsholt Road, Islington, has been charged with murder and two counts of theft and is currently awaiting trial.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC. All information is treated in the strictest confidence.

If you prefer not to speak with police, to remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.