Missing mother’s ex-partner in plea
Jun 2 2008 by Paul James, The Journal
THE former partner of a Sunderland woman who went missing with her five daughters more than two weeks ago has arrived in the UK to help police find them.
German Dietrich Bracht is separated from wife Natalie, 34, who left her home on May 17 with her children, three of whom are his daughters, and travelled to London.
After information placed the family in the Harlesden area of the capital last week, officers now believe that she may have moved on to another part of the city in her bid to evade being found, an effort which has also seen her radically change her appearance.
Mr Bracht, the father of the three youngest children, is now working with Northumbria Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police to trace his children.
In a statement issued through the police, he said: “I am very worried about the girls, I just want to know that they are safe and well.
“I am worried that they have been moved away from their home in Sunderland, from their school and from their friends. I would urge anyone with any information about where they and Natalie are to contact Northumbria Police as soon as possible.
“To my girls, I just want to say how much I love you.”
Police said their concern is growing for Natalie and the children, given the length of time they have been missing and fears about Mrs Bracht's emotional well-being. DCI Roger Ford said: “So far her decision to change her appearance and avoid identification by moving away from her home shows a high degree of planning and a great deal of effort which further raises my concerns about her emotional well-being and the safety of her children.
“I would urge anyone who has any information about where Natalie and her daughters are now, or who is – for what they may think are the right reasons – sheltering her, to contact our incident room in Sunderland immediately.”
Mrs Bracht moved to the North East in 2006 with her daughters from Dusseldorf, Germany, and she speaks good English, with a heavy German accent.
She is described as 5ft6ins tall, of medium build, with shoulder length dark hair, which is sometimes tied back.
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 03456 043043.
