Missing Coventry woman found alive five decades later

Sheila Fox, who disappeared from Coventry in 1972 aged 16, has been found alive and well in one of the longest missing person cases in West Midlands history. 

Now aged 68, Fox was found in another part of the UK 52 years after her disappearance, as a result of a fresh appeal launched by the West Midlands police at the end of the year.  

The investigation gained public momentum after West Midlands Police released a single blurry image of Fox from the time of her disappearance. This image prompted members of the public to reach out with crucial information, leading to the successful breakthrough, and further closure for Fox’s family and friends. 

At the time of her disappearance, Fox was living with her parents and was believed to be in a relationship with an older man. 

Detective Sergeant Jenna Shaw, a representative of the Cold Case Investigation Team, expressed her delight in a statement shared by Coventry Police on Facebook. Shaw stated: “We’re absolutely delighted to have found Sheila after more than five decades.”  

‘A bit late in the day,’ as my great aunt put it…

Ella Fox-Martens, relative

Special recognition was further given to Detective Constable Shaun Reeve for his dedicated work in resolving the case through public appeals. Shaw remarked: “I’d like to recognise the work of DC Shaun Reeve, who managed to resolve this case with help from the public.”  

West Midlands Police confirmed that Fox was alive, safe, and well. The officers who spoke to Fox also confirmed that she no longer resides in Coventry and has been living elsewhere in the UK. They also added that technological advancements and forensic techniques played a crucial role in resolving the case.  

“We searched through every piece of evidence we could find and managed to locate a photo of Sheila,” Shaw explained. 

Ella Fox-Martens, who identified herself as Fox’s distant relative, expressed the family’s surprise on social media following the announcement of Sheila’s discovery. Writing on X, Fox-Martens said: “The most telling part being that she’d been back for years! ‘A bit late in the day,’ as my great aunt put it…”