Fifty years ago she went on holiday - and was never seen again

A renewed appeal has been launched by police in England for information about a Birmingham woman who disappeared nearly 50 years ago during a family holiday in southern France. Sarjit Kaur Mann, who was 20 years old at the time, was last seen in September 1976 in Antibes, a coastal town between Cannes and Nice. Her family returned to the United Kingdom, but Sarjit did not accompany them, choosing instead to stay behind to socialise with people she had met and visit local attractions. She has not been seen since. The appeal comes on what would have been Sarjit’s 70th birthday, marking half a century since her disappearance. Authorities hope new leads could emerge from individuals who knew her or her family at the time. Sarjit was a student at the University of Birmingham prior to her trip, and her decision to remain in France was made shortly before her family departed. According to police, a woman named Jane, who Sarjit allegedly met during her stay in Antibes, contacted her family a few days after they returned to the UK. During the call, the woman claimed that Sarjit had drowned, but the conversation ended abruptly without providing further details. The identity of the caller has never been confirmed, and no trace of Sarjit has ever been found. PC Shaun Reeve, from the West Midlands Police missing person investigation unit, stated that the circumstances surrounding Sarjit’s disappearance remain unclear. He noted that she had met a group of young women of similar age while in France, one of whom was known as Jane. While there is speculation that Jane made the call, the police have not verified whether the caller was indeed Jane. The lack of identification of the person who spoke to Sarjit’s family adds another layer of uncertainty to the case. Reeve expressed the ongoing commitment of investigators to uncovering the truth, despite the passage of time. “We will never stop investigating any new information we receive,” he said. “Our goal is to provide answers or closure to Sarjit’s family after nearly 50 years.” The police have urged anyone with potential knowledge of Sarjit’s activities or whereabouts during the period of her disappearance to contact them directly. The case has remained unsolved for decades, with no definitive evidence pointing to Sarjit’s fate. Despite numerous inquiries over the years, no conclusive findings have emerged. The renewed appeal reflects the persistence of law enforcement in seeking resolution, even after such a lengthy period. Authorities have reiterated the importance of public assistance in solving cold cases, particularly those involving missing persons. They have provided a direct contact number for individuals wishing to contribute information, 0121 626 7003, for the West Midlands Police team handling the investigation. This outreach effort underscores the belief that community involvement can yield critical insights, even in cases that span multiple generations. The renewed focus on Sarjit’s disappearance highlights the enduring nature of unresolved mysteries and the determination of those tasked with solving them. As the search continues, the hope remains that new information will eventually surface, offering clarity to a family that has waited nearly half a century for answers.