Natalie Putt disappearance: Latest underwater search ends amid plea for witnesses
Police have ended an underwater search in woodland for missing mother Natalie Putt - but vowed to continue their investigation.
Today they also appealed for anyone who saw 'one or more people acting in an usual manner' in the woodland around the time of her disappearance to come forward.
Specialist teams of divers had scoured pools in Ellowes Hall Wood, in Lower Gornal, which is less than a mile from her home.
The search started on Monday after 'further credible information' was received by detectives.
It came four months after officers exhumed graves at Ruiton Cemetery in the search for Natalie's body.
West Midlands Police today said although nothing has been found in this week's search, there are other areas of interest in the woodland.
This is likely to result in further searches being conducted in the very near future, say the force.
WATCH Express & Star chief reporter Alex Ross looks into the background of her disappearance
Detective Superintendent Tom Chisholm, from the force Homicide Unit, said: "Any searches of an area this size and after such a passage of time have significant complexities attached to it.
"The investigation team continues to work closely with a range of specialist search advisors and we expect to be back at the location at some point.
"As part of the ongoing investigation I would like to appeal to anyone who was using the woods from September 2003 up to the end of 2004.
"We know that it was frequently used by dog walkers.
"During that time they may have seen one or more people acting in an usual manner that was out of context for the location, but dismissed it at the time.
"I would urge them to come forward, it doesn’t matter how insignificant they think it may be.
"This may be the missing piece of the jigsaw that will lead us to finding Natalie.
"The interest in our search activity has resulted in someone coming forward with information that is being actively followed up.
"This was a case of not realising the relevance of what they had seen many years ago.
"It wasn’t until they were encouraged by friends to come forward that they did, the information is being taken seriously."
Natalie’s family have been fully updated with the latest developments and continue to be supported by specialist officers.
Natalie disappeared from her home in Thornleigh 14 years ago. Officers are treating the case as a murder inquiry.
