Woods searched after BGT’s choir appeal for teen missing since 2003
DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of a new mother who vanished 14 years ago have begun searching woodland near her home following an appeal on Britain’s Got Talent.
Natalie Putt was 17 when she went missing in 2003 after telling her family she was going to the shops. She had an 11-weekold son, Rhys.
Police have carried out searches and made numerous appeals for the young mother over the years, but to no avail.
However, earlier this year, her case was featured on ITV1’s Britain’s Got Talent when an image of what she would look like today was shown during a performance by the The Missing People Choir.
Within days, police began searching a cemetery near her home after receiving new information, including an anonymous call from a man in a phone box. Police said they have since received ‘further credible information’ prompting yesterday’s searches at woodland at Ellowes Hall, in Lower Gornal, Dudley, West Midlands – less than half a mile from Miss Putt’s home.
Detective Superintendent Tom Chisholm, head of homicide at West Midlands Police,
‘Completely new information’
said: ‘ This area was searched when Natalie went missing in August 2003, but the intelligence picture has changed significantly since then.
‘The information that we have received is corroborated by separate sources and is completely new. Natalie’s family have been fully updated. I am convinced that there are people who still live in the area who hold the key to solving the disappearance of Natalie.
‘The person who is responsible for her death will have confided in someone, I would urge that confidante to come forward.’
Natalie’s sister, Rebecca Coggins, 40, said: ‘We have been made aware that the police will be doing more searches.
‘We are hoping that this time the police will finally find something that will lead us to the truth.’
The 5ft 1in teenager left home around midday. She did not have her purse with her and was never seen again. The last contact was a voicemail message saying she was with friends in Tamworth. A man of 18 was arrested on suspicion of murder but released without charge.
Police re-opened the cold case earlier this year after the BGT appeal in June and said they were treating it as murder.