Woman Missing for 52 Years in Coventry Found Alive and Well

A woman who went missing 52 years ago from Coventry has been found alive and in good health, bringing an end to one of the UK’s longest-running missing person cases. The breakthrough came after police released a black-and-white photograph of the woman, Sheila Fox, from the time of her disappearance, prompting public assistance in solving the case.

Sheila Fox, who was 16 years old at the time, disappeared from Coventry in 1972. At the time, West Midlands Police believed she may have been living with her parents and possibly involved with a man. They initially thought she might have left the area.

On Sunday, West Midlands Police launched a new appeal to help find Sheila, releasing her image from the time she went missing on their website and social media. Within hours, the public responded with valuable information. By Wednesday, police confirmed that 68-year-old Sheila Fox had been located, and she was alive and well. According to police, Sheila had been living in another part of the country.

A spokesperson for the police expressed their joy in announcing the conclusion of what had been one of their longest-running missing persons investigations. “The only image of Sheila at the time of her disappearance was found by investigating officers, and it was published on our website and social media. Within hours of the appeal, the team was able to reach her with the help of information from members of the public,” the spokesperson said.

Detective Sergeant Gina Shaw, from the Cold Case Investigation Team, shared that the team had searched for every possible piece of evidence and had succeeded in locating Sheila’s photograph. “Every missing person has a story, and their families and friends deserve to know what happened to them, and we hope they can be reunited,” she added.

This remarkable case has not only brought closure to a long-standing mystery but has also highlighted the important role of public assistance in solving cold cases.