West Midlands Police: Woman missing for 52 years found alive thanks to police and public

West Midlands Police have successfully resolved one of their longest-running missing person investigations, bringing a five-decade-old case to a close.

The breakthrough came after officers published a renewed appeal to locate Sheila, sharing a photo of her taken around the time of her disappearance on their website and social media channels.

Within hours, members of the public came forward with information that led investigators to her.

Detective Sergeant Jenna Shaw from the Cold Case Investigation Team expressed her joy at the outcome. “We’re absolutely delighted to have found Sheila who went missing from Coventry after more than 50 years,” she said. “This case has been a monumental effort, and I’d like to particularly recognize the work of DC Shaun Reeve, whose dedication, along with the support of the public, made this possible.”

The Cold Case team focuses on reviewing unsolved missing person cases, often using advances in forensic science and technology to revisit evidence. These tools allow officers to pursue leads that were unavailable at the time of the original investigations.

“Every missing person has a story, and their families and friends deserve closure,” DS Shaw added. “Finding Sheila demonstrates the importance of never giving up on these cases.”

This resolution underscores the commitment of West Midlands Police to providing answers, no matter how much time has passed, and highlights the vital role the public plays in aiding such investigations.