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Mum who lost memory in crash reconnects with kids 30 years later

A mother has been reunited with her children after nearly 30 years following an extensive missing persons investigation.

Lee-Tracey Miley left the UK in 1991 to holiday in Egypt, before then travelling to Cyprus where she was involved in a car accident.

Following the collision, Ms Miley was in a coma and had no recollection of her previous life in Bournemouth with her two children, who believed she had simply vanished, when she awoke.

On 27 December, 2019, Ms Miley was reported missing by her son, Craig Miley, Dorset Police said in recent a press release.

Bournemouth, in the UK.
Following the collision, Ms Miley was in a coma and had no recollection of her previous life in Bournemouth with her two children. Source: Universal Images Group via Getty

He told officers that the pair had tried to locate her over the years, but hadn’t had any success.

“It was reported that Lee-Tracey went to live in Cyprus after leaving Bournemouth in 1991, but there was little other information known for detectives to start their enquiries,” Dorset Police said.

“Inconsistent comments the children had heard over the years culminated in the son reporting her missing to Dorset Police.

“An investigation was launched led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).”

In January 2020, to determine whether Ms Miley was still living in the UK and receiving any benefits, a request was made to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Silhouette of parents and daughter (5-6) holding hands on sand dunes. Source: AAP
On 27 December, 2019, Ms Miley was reported missing by her son, Craig Miley, Dorset Police said. Source: AAP

It was discovered Ms Miley had been living in London in 2003.

The Metropolitan Police in London were unable to find any associates of Ms Miley, but the investigation continued and detectives looked into whether she held a UK passport.

A break in the case came in October this year, when it was then revealed Ms Miley had applied for a Visa to enter the US in May 2004.

Officers then learned there was a chance she was living in Arizona, which was confirmed by local police who found the missing mum “safe and well”.

Ms Miley’s son was notified and he has since been in regular contact with his mother, police said.

Mr Miley and his sister Christina Summons praised the work of the Dorset Police.

“Dorset MCIT have been amazing throughout,” Mr Miley said.

Police in London.
It was discovered Ms Miley had been living in London in 2003. Source: Getty Images

“I came to them with a genuine concern for the welfare of our mother who hadn't been seen or heard from in almost 30 years (not even a trace).”

Ms Summons said she was grateful for the police tracking down her mother, as now her own children will hopefully be able to meet their grandmother.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour of MCIT said he was pleased the investigation resulted in a family being reunited.

“We were faced with a number of challenges throughout, but we remained determined and always found a new line of enquiry to investigate, which thankfully led to finding Lee-Tracey,” he said.

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