Natalie Putt cemetery search fails to find fresh clues
Police have appealed to a man who made a phone call them to come forward, as he may have information critical to finally cracking the case.
A search of graves connected to the disappearance of a young mother 14 years ago has failed to turn up any fresh clues – as police have again appealed for the public’s help.
Cold case detectives attempting to find any trace of Natalie Putt had been scouring Ruiton Cemetery near Dudley, West Midlands, since Tuesday.
However, the officer leading the West Midlands Police operation, which was backed by forensics and specialist search teams, said it had turned up nothing of use.
Police have already said they are treating the disappearance as a murder inquiry and previously searched rivers, lakes and meadowland in surrounding areas.
Natalie was last seen in 2003, leaving behind a baby son – then just 11 weeks old.
An 18-year-old local man was arrested in March 2004 in connection with Natalie’s disappearance, but was later released without charge.
Natalie’s sisters Becky and Lowri have said they would never give up hope of finding their sibling.
Giving further details of the searches, the police said four sarcophagus-type graves had been examined without the need for remains to be exhumed, but nothing was discovered.
A wider search of the graveyard, at Upper Gornal, also proved fruitless to investigators.
Officers said a review of other locations would continue, adding the force had received “very significant telephone calls” during the latest activity.
They also appealed directly to a local man who made a phone call to police from a telephone kiosk in Lake Street to come forward, as he may have information critical to finally cracking the case.
Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe, from the cold case team, 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.”
He added: “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.
“All three have provided very similar information, all naming the same person as being responsible for the young mum’s death.”
Natalie’s family have been kept informed of recent developments.
In a statement released through police, 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 is urged to call police on 101 or 0121 428 6092, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
