A woman who disappeared in 1972 was found alive thanks to a grainy photo

Authorities in England have announced that a woman previously reported missing for 52 years has been found alive after police recently released a blurry photograph of her at the time of her disappearance.

In the news release for Wednesday, January 1, West Midlands Police said that Sheila Fox had been found and spoken to by authorities, who confirmed that “she is alive and well.”

According to The GuardianSheila Fox, now 68 years old, was 16 when she disappeared from the English city of Coventry in 1972.

Officers found a blurry black-and-white photo of Fox that was recently posted on the department’s website and on social media, police said.

Hours after publication, authorities said they began receiving information from the public that led to Fox’s identification.

“Sheila is confirmed to be safe and well and residing elsewhere in the country,” West Midlands Police said in a statement.

The department added that the find marks the end of one of the West Midlands’ longest missing persons cases.

PEOPLE reached out to West Midlands Police on Thursday, Jan. 2, for more information.

“We are extremely pleased to have found Sheila after more than five decades,” said Detective Sergeant Jenna Shaw, from West Midlands Police’s cold case team.

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Shaw added that all the evidence related to the case was tested when authorities came across Fox’s photo.

“We are a small team of officers and I would like to acknowledge the work of District Attorney Sean Reeve who was able to solve this case with the help of the public,” Shaw said.

Authorities added that current advances in forensic technology have allowed authorities to look for clues in the case that were not possible at the time.

The news release did not provide any additional information about the circumstances or reasons that led to Fox’s disappearance more than five decades ago.

“Every missing person has a story, and their families and friends deserve to know what happened to them and hopefully be reunited with them,” Shaw continued.