DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of a young Dudley mum 14 years ago have begun exhuming several graves in a Gornal cemetery.

Natalie Putt was 17 when she left her home in Thornleigh, Lower Gornal, to go to a local shop in September 2003.

She was never seen again and left behind her baby son who was just 11-weeks-old.

Since then, officers have searched open land near to the teenager’s home, including underwater searches of rivers and lakes, and farmland in Wombourne, where it is understood she kept horses, but no clue has been found to help uncover what happened to Natalie.

Now officers are acting on new information which they believe could help solve the mystery.

Halesowen News:

Photo courtesy of West Midlands Police

Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe, from the force's cold case review team, said: "All cases are periodically reviewed and the disappearance of Natalie has led us to believe that we are looking at a murder enquiry.

"We have had no positive sightings of Natalie in all these years and there has never been any financial activity connected to her bank accounts or any access to health services across the country, which points to the fact that she is no longer alive.

"Following a review of the information we have received, we have been granted permission to exhume a number of graves in Ruiton Cemetery off Duke Street in Upper Gornal.

"We also believe that at least two people know what has led us to this site and they may have further information which could assist our search. We would very much like to hear from them."

 

The area will be sealed off for several days while the searches are conducted.

An 18-year-old local man was arrested in March 2004 in connection with Natalie’s disappearance, but was later released without charge.

Anyone with information which may assist the investigation is urged to call police on 101 or 0121 428 6092. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Concerned members of the public who believe we may be intruding upon a loved one’s grave should call 101 extension 863 3137.