Woman found alive after 52 years to solve one of UK's longest missing persons cases

A woman has been found alive more than 50 years after going missing.

The missing person case was one of the UK's longest running mysteries, and it's finally been solved.

Aged 16, Sheila Fox vanished from Coventry city centre without a trace back in 1972. When she disappeared, police believed that she was in a relationship with an older man, though she was still living at home with her parents.

Just last week (29 December), police sent out a new appeal to find the missing woman, highlighting that they had an 'open mind' as she might simply have moved away without telling anyone.

Bizarrely, there has been absolutely no trace of her in the following five decades, but detectives have now provided an update on the now 68-year-old Sheila.

Police have finally found the missing woman (Getty Stock Photo)

In an official statement, West Midlands Police wrote: "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. Now, Sheila has been found and spoken to, with officers confirming she is alive and well."

A lone photo of the missing woman from the time of her disappearance was discovered by officers, who posted it on their website and on social media, with members of the public soon getting in touch with information 'within hours'.

Authorities were then able to locate her, as they confirmed that she was safe and living in a different part of the country, putting an end to one of the longest running missing person cases they have investigated.

Detective Sergeant Jenna Shaw from the department's Cold Case Investigation Team also released a statement on the case.

Sheila Cox has been found alive and well, over half a century later (West Midlands Police)

She said: "We're absolutely delighted to have found Sheila after more than five decades.

"We searched through every piece of evidence we could find and managed to locate a photo of Sheila.

"We are a small team of officers and I'd like to recognise the work of DC Shaun Reeve, who managed to resolve this case with help from the public," she acknowledged.

Adding that each missing person 'has a story', and regardless of how long it may be or for whatever reason, 'their families and friends deserve to know what happened to them', which can sometimes end with a reunion.

"Missing people can be from all ages and backgrounds, often with vastly differing reasons for going missing." the statement said.

"With advances in forensics and technology, the team is able to pursue leads which weren't necessarily available at the time these cases were first reported."