Family Of Missing Newhaven Woman Relaunch Appeal On Her 60th Birthday

The family of long-term missing woman Fatima Mohamed-Ali is working with the charity Missing People to re-launch search efforts on her 60th birthday (April 14th).

Fatima, of Indian heritage and aged 52 at the time, was last seen by her husband at around 7:30am at their Newhaven home on Friday, February 12, 2016. CCTV camera footage confirms that Fatima walked down Avis Road, about a fifteen-minute walk away from her home at Park Drive Close, at 7:58am.

At the time of her disappearance, Fatima was described as 5’ 2” with a slim build, brown eyes, and black shoulder-length hair, often worn in a ponytail. She was likely to be wearing traditional Indian dress. CCTV footage shows her wearing black boots, a beige coat, and possibly a sari underneath.

Since her disappearance, Fatima’s family has worked determinedly to keep search efforts for her alive, in the hopes that the grandmother and mother-of-three will be found safe and well. Fatima’s husband, Mohamed Mohamed-Ali, has also sought counselling and publicity support from Missing People.

After over a year without an update, on January 24, 2018, a potential sighting of Fatima was caught on CCTV. Brighton and Hove Police released footage of a woman running for a bus in North Street, Brighton. The footage dates to Monday, August 7, 2017, 18 months after her disappearance. The full clip can be found on Brighton and Hove Police’s Facebook page here. Since this possible sighting, the case has seen no developments. 

In 2021, Mohamed appeared on the first season of The Missing podcast. In the episode, he shared the circumstances of Fatima’s disappearance, possible theories on her whereabouts, and the consequent impact it has had on his family.

Fatima going missing has caused extreme distress and heartbreak for Mohamed in particular. He said:

“Almost for two years I never left home, I never went to work. I lost almost 4 stone. I remember Police coming to my home visiting to me telling to eat and look after myself. I’m waiting, I’m waiting that one day there will be a knock, either with good news or bad news.”

Commenting on closure and the possible theory that Fatima may have taken her own life, Mohamed says:

“If that is what is, then I’ll have to accept it.”

Despite this possibility, Mohamed feels that this would be out-of-character behaviour of Fatima.

The full interview can be listened to here.

As five years approach with no major developments as to Fatima’s whereabouts, Mohamed remains heartbroken yet determined as ever to reunite with his beloved wife.

In an appeal to the public and Fatima herself, Mohamed said:

“If you’ve seen Fatima or know where Fatima is - or if even Fatima is listening – on the 12th of February 2016, we lost a good wife, a mother and a grandmother. If anyone is out there, please help us.”

In light of Fatima’s birthday today, Mohamed shares this message to his wife:

"We miss you and wish you a happy 60thbirthday wherever [you] are."

If you'd like to help with the search, visit Fatima’s appeal on the Missing People website here, where you can report a sighting, download her Missing appeal as a poster, and share it as widely as possible via Facebook and Twitter.

Missing People’s Publicity Officer, Ndella Senghore, said:

“If anyone has any information about Fatima’s disappearance, they can contact Missing People’s helpline. Fatima, if you are reading this, please get in touch. You can call us on 116 000 or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk. Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe.

"Our helpline is here to support people who are missing, thinking of going missing, and for loved ones who are left behind. The helpline is free and confidential and is operated by trained staff and volunteers.

"Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website at https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/sightings-and-giving-information-2 .”

What to consider when putting up a poster of a missing person

• Make sure you seek permission before displaying the poster on any public or private property.
• Please do not display posters on street furniture such as lampposts, railings, bus stops, walls, traffic lights etc.
• Please only display one poster in one place.
• It is important that we remove all appeals once the missing person’s case is closed. We believe every missing person has the ‘right to be forgotten'. This includes removing all posters and online publicity. It is important that we respect the privacy of the people we help so it may not always be possible to share specific details with you.
• We will contact you via email if the appeal for Fatima Mohamed-Ali closes. Please take down and recycle the poster out of respect for the missing person and their family.