We need justice: Family of missing Natalie Putt still desperate for answers

Rebecca Coggins said it had been a long 15 years since Natalie disappeared from her home in Lower Gornal – but the family had not given up on finding out what happened to her.

She said that someone knows what happened to Natalie and begged anyone with information to tell get in touch.

Natalie, who was 17 years old at the time, left her home in Thornleigh on September 1, 2003, to go to the shops but never returned home.

She left behind her baby Rhys, who was just 11 weeks old.

Her body has never been found, despite West Midlands Police constantly reviewing the case – including opening a murder investigation.

An inquest was formally opened on Wednesday at Black Country Coroner’s Court and was adjourned for a full hearing to take place in mid-January.

Police say their investigation has involved officers from across the country – but has failed to find proof Natalie is still alive.

'A long 15 years'

Rebecca, who now lives in Nottingham, said: “It has been a long 15 years and Wednesday’s hearing was hard to listen to. I dare say it is going to get even harder.

“It is very sad. They have opened the inquest hoping it also reminds people of the fact Natalie has been murdered.

“Someone out there knows something. They should do the decent thing and allow us and Natalie the dignity. Allow us to have the closure for her as well.

“It will give answers to her baby – he’s 15 years old now and is a handsome young man.

"I am certainly not giving up. I am proactive as I can be getting justice for Natalie.

“There’s someone or some people out there that know what happened to her.

"They did not just harm her, they are concealing her body from her family. It is really tough.

“It is still an ongoing inquiry and I truly believe we will get justice for Natalie.

'A beautiful, beautiful person'

“Until I am given that answer that she has been found. Until I die myself, I will keep on going to find out who did this to her.

“She is my sister, she is Rhys’ mother. I need people to know that she never ever left her son – it is so important. It is now with this inquest he will know that.

“She did not get up one day and disappear – she was taken from us. She was a decent human being.

"She was a beautiful, beautiful person. She has lots of friends and they love her dearly. We are all devastated.”

She added: “People have got questions about how they are having an inquest without a body.

"We are not giving up – no-one is giving up. This is a murder inquiry, we have had a year to digest that. It has been horrendous.

“We have got Christmas and the New Year to get through, and then we will face this for Natalie.

"Somebody knows what happened to her. I would absolutely beg with everything I have for them to do the decent thing and let us bury her – let’s give Natalie some dignity now.”

Speaking at the inquest opening, Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe said: “Based on all the information we have – she was 17 years old at the time with a child, and no reason for her to go missing.

“The conclusion we reach, on the balance of probabilities, that she had been subject to murder.”