Friend of missing woman was unaware of meeting

THE best friend of missing woman Natalie Phillips has revealed she had not planned to meet her as was previously claimed.

Natalie, 21, from Tockholes near Darwen in Lancashire, has not been seen since boarding a train to Preston at Blackburn station at around 6pm on Friday (April 20).

She told her parents that she was going to meet a friend in Manchester where they planned to visit the Frog and Bucket comedy club.

Natalie sent her mother a text message at 8pm to say she was having a good time.

Her friend, Lucy Markillie, says she knew nothing of the meeting however, and has urged Natalie to get in touch.

 
“She said that she was meeting me in Manchester on Friday night but that wasn’t the case,” Lucy told Quays News.

“She left with luggage so it seems she was intending to either run away or meet somebody.

“She said that she was getting the train into Manchester but we’re not even sure if she actually did.” 

The pair met at the University of Salford after enrolling on the BA in Journalism two years ago. However, Natalie withdrew from the course last summer but did not tell her parents.  

Her stepfather, company director Roger Phillips, believes this could explain her disappearance.

He said: “Natalie didn’t tell us she had to leave university in the summer last year. We think she may have gone away because she was too scared to tell us as the graduation date neared.

“But all we want to say is it doesn’t matter. We love you and please come home. All we need is one phone call to know you’re safe.”

Natalie’s friends and family have started a Twitter campaign #taliecomehome and a Facebook group, which has so far attracted over 1700 followers.

Lucy added:  “Obviously it’s just about creating awareness. We need to get her images seen by as many people as possible and make people aware of her description.

“Natalie, please get in touch by whatever means. Nobody’s angry with you or will judge you, we just want to know you’re safe.”

Natalie is described as being 5ft 5in tall, with shoulder length blonde hair and a pale, white complexion. At the time of her disappearance she was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie with “Tallie” written on the back.

Inspector Ilyas Mohmed from Blackburn Police has asked the public to report any sightings of Natalie.

“We are keen are to make contact with Natalie as she has not been seen since Friday.

“Her family are worried and want to know that she is ok so we would urge her to either contact her family or the police on 101.”

Anyone with any information about her whereabouts can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org

By Natasha Johansson