Detectives investigating the disappearance of Sarjit Kaur Mann, who vanished during a family holiday to France nearly 50 years ago, have issued a fresh appeal for information. The renewed appeal was made on Saturday, which would have been her 70th birthday, as officers continue to seek answers in the case.
Background of the disappearance
Sarjit, a 20-year-old student at the University of Birmingham at the time, was last seen in September 1976 in Antibes, a resort town in the south of France. She had been on holiday with her family but chose to stay behind when they returned to Britain, saying she wanted to spend more time with people she had met and visit local museums. Her family returned home, but Sarjit was never seen again.
According to West Midlands Police, a few days after the family returned, a woman named Jane—whom Sarjit had reportedly met—called the family to say Sarjit had drowned, then hung up. The caller was never identified, and Sarjit's body has never been found.
Police appeal for new information
Pc Shaun Reeve, from the West Midlands Police missing person investigation unit, said: “What happened to Sarjit in France remains a mystery and we have always kept an open mind. At the time, Sarjit was said to have met a group of young women of a similar age, one of whom was called Jane. We believe Jane called Sarjit’s family a few days after they returned home and told them their daughter had drowned before hanging up. Whether this caller was Jane or not, we do not know. The caller was never identified and Sarjit has never been found.”
Reeve added: “What we are hoping for is that someone who knew Sarjit and her family at the time might be able to help us piece together more about her life around the time she went missing. Even though this was a long time ago, we will never stop investigating any new information we receive as we try to bring some answers, or closure, to Sarjit’s family after nearly 50 years.”
How to help
Anyone with information is urged to contact the West Midlands Police team directly on 0121 626 7003. The case remains open, and officers are committed to following any new leads.
