Grandfather denies Natasha suicide

NATASHA Coombs' devastated grandfather has described her death as a “tragic accident” and said he did not believe she deliberately threw herself in front of a train.

The search for the Dovercourt teenager came to an end when a body was spotted by a train driver near Manningtree station on Friday.

Detectives investigating the case revealed yesterday a post mortem examination had been inconclusive, but Natasha's injuries were “consistent with a train strike” and said there was nothing suspicious about the death.

Officers recovered clothing, a mobile phone and a handbag from close to where the 17-year-old's body was found.

The teenager has yet to be formally identified, but police said they have ended their investigation and handed the case to the Essex coroner.

It is now anticipated that Natasha, who had been on her way home from a night in Ipswich when she went missing, will be identified using her dental records today .

Natasha's grandfather Peter Clackett, 62, of Harlow, said the family had been hurt by reports his granddaughter may have killed herself just hours after agreeing a temporary split from her boyfriend.

He said: “It's lies. They said she had tried to commit suicide before, it's all lies, lies, lies.

“It was a tragic, tragic accident.”

Mr Clackett and his 60-year-old wife Wendy put up their life savings as a reward for information about their granddaughter's whereabouts.

In an emotional appeal at a press conference last week he said: “Apparently she'd had an up and down with her boyfriend but what 17-year-old girl hasn't?”

Police believe Natasha may have been upset about a break-up with boyfriend Josh Brennan and said she became upset during a meal with two friends just before she went missing on Friday, July 27.

The last known sighting of her was at Ipswich station when she was recorded by CCTV.

Natasha caught the 10.42pm train from Ipswich to Manningtree. Her mobile phone was switched off at 11.19pm and that was the last trace police had of her.

Yesterday's her parents Joanne and Gary Coombs and Mr Brennan were too grief-stricken too pay tribute.

Natasha's aunt Clare Clackett, of Harwich, said: “We are all very upset by what has happened, we are just devastated.”

Mr Brennan's mother, Lynn, said: “He's absolutely tortured by what's happened. He's been up all night. He's been torn apart, he's so upset.”

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said their investigation was over. She said: “It was a vulnerable missing person inquiry and we believe we have found our missing person so there is no further police action.

“There is nothing to suggest any criminal activity at all and it is now a matter for the coroner.”