Coatbridge: The Disappearance of Moira Anderson

By: Chalk and Blade

Narrated by: Sandra Brown

For decades, Sandra Brown’s life has been intertwined with someone she has never met: an eleven year-old girl named Moira Anderson – who disappeared from their hometown of Coatbridge, Scotland, in 1957. It became one of the oldest cold cases in Scottish history.

Sandra lived just around the corner from Moira. She grew up hearing about the missing girl, whose memory haunted the town. But she never imagined that, one day, she would be the one trying to uncover what happened. Or that her search for answers would reveal secrets and lies so close to home.

In her own words, Sandra tells the full story, of a lifetime spent confronting doubt and resistance. Can she break the silence and find the truth? And how much pain will it cause?

Content Warning: There are references to child sexual abuse and to violence in this series. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode 1: Moira

Moira Anderson mysteriously vanished from Coatbridge during a snowstorm in 1957. Sandra revisits the events of that day, and how Moira’s disappearance shook the town.

Episode 2: Dad

As she grows up, Sandra’s family goes through its own struggles. Years later, a chance encounter reveals a secret that casts Sandra’s childhood in a new light.

Episode 3: Moment of No Return

After a shocking revelation in the Moira Anderson case, Sandra faces a difficult question. Could her greatest fears be true?

Episode 4: Family Secrets

Speaking to friends and family from Coatbridge, Sandra discovers a horrific web of abuse. As victims break their silence, the scope of the investigation changes.

Episode 5: Person of Interest

Police and prosecutors take charge of the investigation into Moira Anderson’s disappearance – and they don’t always agree with Sandra.

Episode 6: Leeds

With the help of an intrepid reporter, Sandra pays a surprise visit – to the person she believes is responsible for the disappearance of Moira Anderson.

Episode 7: Confession

Out of the blue, a confession emerges – and it points to new leads for the investigation.

Episode 8: Silence

Sandra rushes to the hospital for a conversation that may be the last chance to uncover what happened to Moira.

Episode 9: Legacy

After years spent on the case, Sandra faces a moment of truth.

If you have been affected by any of the themes in the series please find below details of organisations that can help you:

www.moiraanderson.org

thesurvivorstrust.org/

sexualabusesupport.campaign.gov.uk/#support

womensaid.org.uk

rapecrisis.org.uk

Samaritans - call 116 123 or email [e-mail] or [e-mail] (or the Samaritans Welsh Language Line is 0808 164 0123)

SANEline - If you're experiencing a mental health problem call 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

Other international crisis helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org

Archive clips licensed from STV.

Available in Dolby Atmos

©2024 Chalk and Blade (P)2024 Audible Ltd.

great performance!

the story was great. the sound effects were a little over the top. could have done with about half as much of that.

Wow!!!

Don’t hesitate, just listen. This book was well laid out, well narrated and absolutely unbelievable!

A Girl Vanished in 1957: Where is Moira?

At first it was impossible to understand some of the Scottish dialogue but don’t let that stop you from listening to the entire book. Hopefully, you will never have to endure losing a child, never knowing what happened. Scottish police and “The Crown” COMPLETELY failed to act when they could have caught the murderer and prosecuted a pedophile who attacked many other children who, as adults, were willing to testify against him in court.

her determination to set things right

Thr conviction of this woman to make right what had been so wronged by her father is truly a testament!
what a tribute to the Anderson family.

Really well done

What a sad story. I appreciate so much the effort that went into keeping Moira‘s story alive and seeking resolution for her family.

Very well done finished in one day

Such a well done book also so sad
Happy to see the author breaking that family cycle

One of the best I've heard

An incredible podcast about a true crime story that reveals layers of mystery, family history and drama behind closed doors. A very personal and well-told story. Highly recommended.

Just an incredible story

I enjoyed listening to the exhaustive research that the author went to to try to get justice for this victim. Why sexual predators were given so much leeway at that time and then the police refusing to investigate in this time is amazing. How can they just let a convicted sexual predator have access to more children for years and no one put a stop to it? They probably will never find this girls body but that is just one victim and I’m sure he killed others. Very moving story and the format of various voices was superb.

Hits home

Coatbridge is my home town, although it was many years before I was born but I grew up being aware of poor wee Moira

Worth the Listen

If you are on the fence to commit 5 hours of your listening time to this, do it. Listen to it. If you are not on the fence, get on it, and then follow the first step. It is so worth it. Such a sad story, but somehow inspiring at the same time.
The narration was incredible, and the research impeccable. 100% recommend.