Shelia Fox was found alive and well 52 years after vanishing without a trace in 1972, aged 16, after police launched another appeal, sharing her photo on social media
A woman whose long-lost relative was found five decades after going missing suggested the news sparked chaos amongst her family. Shelia Fox had last been seen in Coventry city centre in 1972, aged 16. The then teen was living with her parents, according to the West Midlands Police, and may have been in a relationship with an older man.
More than five decades after Shelia vanished, police launched a re-appeal on Sunday, December 27. The force had kept an “open mind” about the case and suspected Shelia had moved out of the area without telling anyone, despite leaving no trace.
On Wednesday, January 1, police confirmed Shelia, now 68, had been tracked down and spoken to, confirming she is alive and well in another part of the country.
While no information has been given why the then 16-year-old Shelia vanished, a relative shared on X that the news sent her family into a tailspin.
Ella Fox-Martens, who says Shelia is her grandpa’s cousin, posted a screenshot of the news to X, with the caption: “This is my grandfather’s cousin. Just unimaginable scenes in the family group chat at the minute.”
A fellow X user expressed her sympathies, writing: “I can imagine they would be freaking out. If someone in your family just peaces out and is later found living elsewhere without having spoken to anyone in 50 years, you’re going to have some questions to ask yourself. That’s faking your death and moving to Cuba.”
Another user quipped: “Damn though, did she WANT to be found? After half a century I’m thinking gurl bounced for a reason.”
Police said that “within hours” of launching their most recent appeal, members of the public came forward that led to Shelia’s whereabouts.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We are delighted to announce the conclusion of one of West Midlands Police’s longest-running missing person investigations. We recently published a renewed appeal to help find Sheila Fox, who went missing from Coventry in 1972.
“A single photo of Sheila from around the time of her disappearance was found by officers investigating and published on our website and social media.
“Within hours of the appeal, members of the public got in touch with information which led the team to her.
“Sheila was confirmed to be safe and well and living in another part of the country, finally resolving one of the longest running missing person cases we have investigated.”