A 66-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter nearly 50 years after the death of a five-year-old girl in Thornton Heath.
Janice Nix, of Rodenhurst Road, SW4, was arrested and charged following an investigation into the 1978 death of Andrea Bernard.
Cold Case Investigation
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Cold Case Homicide Team launched an investigation in September 2022, after receiving reports about historical offences.
According to police, Andrea Bernard, who was known to Nix, was allegedly assaulted at a property in Ashley Road, Thornton Heath, on 6 June 1978. She suffered severe injuries and was initially treated at a Croydon hospital before being transferred to a specialist burns unit in East Grinstead.
Despite medical efforts, Andrea died on 13 July 1978 due to the severity of her injuries.
Additional Child Cruelty Charges
In addition to manslaughter, Nix has also been charged with child cruelty towards another child, who was eight years old at the time of the offences.
Police Statement
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said:
“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 full circumstances of the case remain under investigation.
Court Appearance
Nix is due to appear before Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 19 February.
Authorities have urged anyone with further information related to this case to contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more details emerge.
