A MUM-of-three has spoken of her shock after receiving a letter claiming the body of murdered schoolgirl Genette Tate was buried in her garden.

Around 20 homes in Wedlands received the hand-written letters last week alleging that the body of Genette, who went missing in 1978, was buried under a shed in the garden of a property in the street.

The body of Genette, who was born in Taunton and lived in Wedlands, attending Priorswood Primary School, has never been found.

Police have long suspected Genette, who went missing on her paper round in Aylesbeare, Devon, was the first victim of serial child killer Robert Black, who served 12 life sentences for killing four young girls in the 1980s.

Somerset County Gazette: Genette Tate was last seen in a rural lane in 1978, but her body has never been found

(MISSING: Genette Tate)

Police passed on an evidence file to prosecutors that accused Black of her murder, but he died in prison in January 2016, and CPS then closed the case.


RELATED: Missing Genette Tate's father 'denied justice' as her suspected killer Robert Black dies


The letters, written by a man the County Gazette has chosen not to identify, allege Genette is buried in a garden on Wedlands, and also make a string of allegations against the police and their role in the investigation.

The letter reads: "Buried under the shed in the back garden of a house in Wedlands is the body of the 13-year-old Genette Tate.

"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."

After the letter was posted, police officers were seen carrying out door-to-door enquiries on Wedlands, and a spokesman has confirmed the force is treating it as a hoax, and will not be opening an investigation into the claims.


RELATED: Police submit Genette Tate case file to CPS


One woman, who is a mother of three children and wished to remain anonymous, said she was shocked and upset when she received the letter.

She 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?

"We informed the police but haven't heard back from them. There was a police man who was going round doors but he didn't come to us."

Somerset County Gazette: Robert Black had been questioned three times over the murder of Genette Tate

(SERIAL KILLER: Robert Black)

The mother said although the residents believe it is a hoax, it has left a scary thought lingering in their minds.

She said: "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."

"When I reported it to the police, the police operator woman said to me 'If I said the grass was orange would you believe me. I thought no I wouldn't, but this is different.

"It's really, really weird."

PC Gavin Clemons, from Taunton Police Station, 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.”

Becky Tipper, communications centre manager for the police, said: “We received a call last week from a lady who had received an anonymous letter.

“During the call, the call handler was able to confirm that we were aware of the letter and the identity of the author and tried to reassure her that the claims made within the content were unfounded and not credible.

"She reassured the caller that she should ignore the letter and that police were looking into the issue. Within her reassurances, she used a metaphor to illustrate her point.

“I have listened to a recording of the call and I am satisfied the call handler was acting professionally and politely in her attempts to reassure the member of the public, who thanked her several times throughout the call for the guidance and reassurance.”