Natalie Putt vanished ten years ago this week.
Ten years after a teenager disappeared without trace from her Black Country home, West Midlands Police has issued an anniversary appeal for information that might shed light on her disappearance.
Natalie Putt left her home in Thornleigh, Lower Gornal, on 1st September 2003, leaving her 11-week old son at the house with relatives. Despite saying she was only visting local shops Natalie – who was 17 years old – has not been since and her disappearance despite an her disappearance remains a mystery.
Speaking on the anniversary of Natalie’s disappearance, West Midlands Police Detective Sergeant Matt Morgan said the case remains open and that any new, credible information passed to them will be investigated. “It remains a missing persons’ inquiry as there is no evidence she’s been murdered and certainly nothing to suggest she was suicidal at the time she vanished.
“From the day she went missing Natalie’s bank account has remained untouched and the last communication she made was a voicemail on the day suggesting she was planning to visit friends in Tamworth. The case is regularly reviewed and any new information passed to us we believe is credible will be followed up. We keep Natalie’s family informed of any developments; understandably they crave answers and we’ll do whatever we can to help them.”
Natalie’s disappearance led to an extensive missing persons inquiry and nationwide publicity appeal. At the time there were unconfirmed sightings of her in nearby Cradley Heath and Coseley, whilst officers checked hostels, hospitals and across Natalie’s wider friendship circle in a bid to trace her.
An 18-year-old local man was arrested in March 2004 in connection with her disappearance but later released without charge and earlier this year West Midlands Police sealed off an area of private land in Wombourne, South Staffordshire, following a ‘flashback’ tip-off from a member of the public who recalled seeing a man digging near stables where Natalie’s understood to have kept horses. Forensics teams carried out extensive searches and archaeologists used specialist radar equipment but the search was called off after three days with nothing suspicious reported.
Natalie was described as white, of slim build, and just over 5ft tall with black shoulder-length hair, blue eyes and a pale complexion. She spoke with a Midlands accent and usually wore a pendant necklace with the words ‘someone special’ engraved on it.
Det Sgt Morgan added: “If anyone has any information they’ve kept to themselves, I’d urge them to contact us. Natalie’s family and friends deserve to know what happened to her so they can try to move on with their lives. Anyone with information can contact the team here on the 101 number or the Missing People charity on 116 000.”
