66-Year-Old Woman Charged in 1978 Death of Five-Year-Old
A shocking development in a decades-old mystery: Janice Nix, 66, from Rodenhurst Road, SW4, has been charged with manslaughter nearly 50 years after the death of a little girl in Thornton Heath.
Cold Case Breakthrough
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Cold Case Homicide Team reopened the 1978 investigation last September. They acted after receiving new reports about historical offences connected to the case.
The victim, five-year-old Andrea Bernard, was known to Nix. On 6 June 1978, Andrea was allegedly assaulted at a home on Ashley Road, Thornton Heath. She suffered horrific injuries and was first taken to a Croydon hospital before being moved to a specialist burns unit in East Grinstead.
Despite intensive treatment, Andrea died on 13 July 1978 from her injuries.
Additional Charges Uncovered
Alongside the manslaughter charge, Janice Nix also faces allegations of child cruelty against another child aged eight at the time of the offences.
Police Confirm Details
“Detectives from the Met’s Cold Case Homicide Team have charged a woman following the death of a five-year-old girl in 1978. Janice Nix, 66, of Rodenhurst Road, SW4, was arrested and charged with manslaughter on Tuesday, 18 February, following the death of Andrea Bernard. Andrea and Nix were known to each other.”
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to piece together the full story.
Court Date Set
Janice Nix is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 19 February.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the case to contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
Stay tuned as this gripping cold case story unfolds.
