Detectives have launched a fresh appeal for information in a baffling cold case that has remained unsolved for nearly half a century. The disappearance of Sarjit Kaur Mann, a 20-year-old student from Birmingham University, continues to mystify investigators almost 50 years after she vanished during a holiday in the South of France.
The Last Known Sighting in Antibes
Sarjit Kaur Mann was last seen alive in Antibes, France, in late September 1976. She had been on holiday with relatives but expressed a desire to extend her stay. The young student told her family she wished to remain in the region with some people she had met, intending to visit local museums.
Her family returned to the United Kingdom as planned, but Sarjit never followed. The individuals she stayed with were described as three British women, all white and in their late teens or early twenties. One of these women was known only by the name 'Jane'. West Midlands Police confirmed the group met Sarjit on a beach in the popular Riviera resort.
The Mysterious Phone Call and Enduring Questions
A few days after the family's return to the UK, they received a chilling and brief telephone call. A woman believed to be 'Jane' stated, "Sarjit drowned - We are sorry, we couldn't do anything." The line then went dead.
This caller has never been identified. Crucially, Sarjit's body was never recovered, leaving her fate shrouded in uncertainty and preventing her family from finding closure. The investigation, spanning decades, has yet to determine the full circumstances of her disappearance.
A Renewed Plea from the Missing Persons Team
PC Shaun Reeve of the West Midlands Police Missing Person Investigation Unit is leading the renewed review. He emphasised the force is keeping an open mind about what happened to Sarjit. "We believe someone must know something," PC Reeve stated.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by the passage of time and vague descriptions but holds hope that someone's memory may be jogged. "Despite the vague descriptions and time lapse, we are hoping somebody remembers this encounter with Sarjit, who would be around 70 years old now," he added.
The police are urgently seeking to identify the three women, particularly 'Jane', who may hold vital information. They are also appealing to anyone else with knowledge of the case to come forward.
The dedicated Missing Person Review Team, which investigates long-running cases, has taken on this file. Since its formation two years ago, the team has successfully closed over 200 cases by re-examining original work and identifying new lines of enquiry previously unavailable.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the team directly on 0121 626 7003.
