Christina "Licorice" McKechnie, a prominent singer from the 1960s British hippie era known for her ethereal voice with The Incredible String Band, has been found alive and living in obscurity in Sacramento, California, after vanishing without a trace for 35 years. McKechnie, who performed at the iconic Woodstock festival in 1969, became an international sensation with her band, but disappeared in the late 1980s, leading to widespread speculation about her fate, including rumors of her death.
Her disappearance was notable as she stopped collecting royalties from the band's music, and even her family and husband had no idea of her whereabouts. The Daily Mail's investigation, prompted by renewed interest around her 80th birthday, located McKechnie living in a one-bedroom apartment in elderly affordable housing.
She is described as "tetchy" and reclusive, preferring to use her former marital name and responding curtly to inquiries. Her ex-husband, Brian, expressed shock at finding her alive after so many years, noting her life appeared to have been difficult.
Her former brother-in-law in Scotland also conveyed astonishment, stating she had deliberately cut herself off from family life. McKechnie left The Incredible String Band in 1972, and the group disbanded two years later.
She became immersed in Scientology after leaving the band and settled in the US, eventually becoming a recluse. While the exact last confirmed sighting was between 1987 and 1990, she is believed to have lived a period of homelessness and taken on odd jobs before disappearing from all known contact.
Despite her absence, significant unclaimed royalties are reportedly awaiting her.
