Natalie Putt: Graveyard search ends with 'nothing found' as plea made to mystery caller

But detectives pleaded with a mystery caller who gave crucial information to the investigation to come forward and 'provide the answers the family deserve'.

Investigators revealed three people have now been able to name the same person responsible for the young mother's death.

Police received a call from a phone box in the Lake Street area of Gornal, with what they described as 'specific information that has the potential to lead to the person responsible for Natalie’s death'.

They had already appealed for two further people to come forward with vital clues to aid the investigation.

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The developments came around 36 hours after police revealed they were exhuming a number of graves at Ruiton Cemetery, off Duke Street in Upper Gornal, just 150 metres from Natalie's home.

Her sisters Becky and Lowri said they will continue to have hope of finding Natalie safe and well.

Natalie, 17, went missing in 2003, and police revealed for the first time on Tuesday that they treating the case as a murder investigation.

Four stone coffin-type graves were examined without the need for any human remains to be exhumed, say police. However nothing was found.

Detectives from West Midlands Police's cold case review team said a wider search of the whole graveyard also revealed nothing of interest.

Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe said: "Unfortunately we found nothing which could give us any clues to Natalie’s whereabouts, but we are continuing to review other locations of interest as a result of information received during the last 24 hours.

"There have been some very significant telephone calls to us during this period of time, for which I would like to thank those who called, and the information provided is being followed up.

"We have been conducting local enquires to locate the man who made the telephone call from the kiosk in Lake Street.

"I would like to appeal directly to this man - please contact my detectives, you could make a difference to the outcome of this investigation and provide the family with the answers that they deserve and have waited so many years for.

"From the outset I appealed to two people to come forward and I now believe this person also has answers as to what happened to Natalie.

"All three have provided very similar information all naming the same person as being responsible for the young mum’s death."

The graves have now been resealed and restored to their original condition.

The Coroner has been informed of the outcome of the search as detectives vow to continue their investigation.

Natalie’s family have been kept fully informed since the search began and yesterday her sisters said: "In the near 14 years that Natalie has been missing, we have never given up hope of finding her safe and well. Until we know anything to the contrary this remains the case.

"We, her sisters, Becky and Lowri are together, surrounded by pictures of Natalie and have lit candles as a sign of hope."

Anyone with information which may assist the investigation is urged to call police on 101 or 0121 428 6092.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Concerned members of the public who believe police may have intruded upon a loved one’s grave should call 101 extension 863 3137