Notorious cold case twist as mystery letters sent to families warning ‘missing schoolgirl Genette Tate is buried in one of your gardens’
The youngster's disappearance while delivering newspapers in 1978 sparked Britain's longest running missing persons investigation
TWENTY shocked families have been sent sinister letters claiming the body of missing schoolgirl Genette Tate lies buried in one of their gardens.
The youngster's disappearance while delivering newspapers in 1978 sparked Britain's longest running missing persons investigation.
She was never found and detectives believe she was the first victim of paedophile Robert Black, who served 12 life sentences for killing four young girls in the 1980s before his death in January last year.
Genette, 13, vanished in Aylesbeare, Devon, but lived in the Priorswood area of Taunton, Somerset.
At least 20 homes in her street are said to have received handwritten letters saying: "Buried under the shed in the back garden of a house in Wedlands is the body of the 13-year-old Genette Tate.
MOST READ IN NEWS
"Police all around the world know where that Genette's body is in that back garden but will not recover her as this would warrant an investigation.
"I can't give you the exact house number as the police will use it against me by alleging I am harassing the owners of that house.
"Please share this information with your friends, family and work colleagues."
One resident, a mother of three, said: "It came through Royal Mail with stamps, and addressed to the homeowner. I was just shocked and concerned more than anything.
"You go through all sorts of what ifs. What if that girl has been in my garden?
"Then you think who has sent it and what sort of mind are they in?"
She added: "It's probably not true but the thought is still there. From what I have been told there were about 20 more letters that were sent, and I have had people come up to me saying they got it as well.
"It really upset me. You start thinking 'what if that was my daughter'.
"There's probably no truth in it at all, but you still think about it all the time, your mind boggles."
Cops told the mother they believe the letters are from a sick hoaxer.
PC Gavin Clemons of Taunton police said: "We are aware of the letters and the contents. We have identified the author and he will be spoken to in due course.
"The claims are not credible and we are endeavouring to speak to all the recipients to provide reassurance."
Last year police submitted a file to prosecutors naming Robert Black as Genette's killer.
The monster died in prison in January 2016, weeks before he would have been charged with her murder.
He has been linked with as many as 17 other killings in the UK and on the Continent.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368