Natalie Putt: Missing mother's family to hold candle-lit service celebrating her life
The family of long-lost mother Natalie Putt are hoping for closure as they are hold a candle-lit service at church to celebrate her life.
Natalie was aged 17 and had not long given birth to her son, Rhys, when she went missing from Upper Gornal 14 years go.
Police recently opened a murder investigation after ‘credible’ new information came to light.
While the murder inquiry continues, her half-sister Rebecca Coggins, 40, spoke about a candle-lit memorial on Saturday, September 9 at St Peter’s Church, Machynlleth, from 2pm.
“It is a chance to properly say goodbye, for everyone to get together and share anecdotes of Natalie,” she said.
“It’s for the family to share memories of Natalie, to share.
"It will be candle-lit. It’s for all of us to get together, in God’s house.
"It’s our way of raising our voices and saying ‘we miss you and we love you’.
"It’s all about celebrating Natalie’s life.
"The church was where our mother, Jennifer Boyle, had her funeral service and me and Natalie used to go there as kids.
"It just seems fitting, I’m sure that’s where she wanted to get married.”
WATCH the Express & Star renew the appeal for information over Natalie Putt's disappearance
Rebecca insists ‘anyone is welcome’ to the service, but they must wear colourful clothing.
"We have got quite a few of the family going, and anyone is welcome to go,” she added.
“We have put red, white and yellow flowers down on her mother’s grave, so around that theme.
"We want it to be colourful as she was such a vivacious person.”
Police recently exhumed graves at Ruiton Cemetery but the search yielded no clues.
Officers also received a call providing a name of a person described as being ‘responsible’ for Natalie’s apparent death.
Rebecca added: “It is a get-together for everybody to remember the fond times.
“We want to say ‘wherever you are, we hope you are safe’.
"It’s just to have a bit of Natalie back.
"The police are now adamant this is a murder enquiry, so we will have to go with that.
"Somebody has the missing piece. It’s a terrible nightmare.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
