**Authorities Appeal for Relatives After 81-Year-Old Woman Found Deceased in Swansea Home**
Swansea, Wales – An appeal has been launched by the Coroner’s Office in Swansea after the body of Gail Thomas, 81, was discovered at her residence on Moorside Road in West Cross. Emergency services responded to the scene on Sunday, 4 May 2025, where Ms Thomas, a retired librarian, was found deceased.
Ms Thomas, who had enjoyed a long career at the Teachers Library in Port Talbot, was known in her local community, yet her death has left authorities attempting to trace her surviving relatives. At this time, efforts are focused on locating her next of kin to ensure that her affairs can be managed in accordance with her wishes and to give her family the opportunity to say their goodbyes.
South Wales Police, assisting the coroner with their enquiries, revealed that Ms Thomas may have relatives in several regions outside Wales, including the Malvern area, Worcestershire, and the Midlands. She was the daughter of the late Joan Thomas, but no immediate family members have yet come forward following news of her death.
Neighbours described Ms Thomas as a private person but warmly remembered by those who knew her during her working years and retirement. Her contributions as a librarian gave her a lasting presence in the educational community, and colleagues recall her dedication to her field.
The Coroner’s Office is urging anyone with information about Ms Thomas’s next of kin to come forward, emphasising the importance of family involvement at such a sensitive time. The appeal reflects a recurring challenge for officials, who increasingly encounter cases where the deceased have no readily available family contacts, particularly among elderly individuals living independently.
Authorities are asking members of the public who may have relevant information to contact the Coroner’s Office in Swansea directly by calling 01792 450650 and quoting reference number 26954467 or police occurrence 2500139775. This outreach is considered vital in ensuring that Ms Thomas’s remaining relatives can be informed and included in any forthcoming arrangements.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the growing number of older adults who live alone. With modern society seeing shifts in traditional family structures and increased mobility, the likelihood of such situations has reportedly risen in recent years. Many officials and charity representatives often use such circumstances to highlight the importance of staying connected with elderly neighbours and reaching out to those who may be isolated.
No suspicious circumstances have been reported in relation to Ms Thomas’s death at this time, according to police statements. Further details about funeral or memorial arrangements are expected to be released once contact has been established with her family.
Her passing has prompted reflections from both former colleagues and residents within the West Cross area, who have expressed sorrow and sympathy through community forums and social media channels.
In the meantime, officials maintain their focus on ensuring that Ms Thomas receives the dignity and recognition she deserves after a life spent serving her community. For residents of Swansea and beyond, her story stands as a poignant call for greater awareness and compassion for those living alone in later life.