Body found in Jesmond Dene in search for missing Channel 4 reality TV star

A body has been found in Jesmond Dene following the search for a missing woman who starred in a Channel 4 documentary.

50-year-old Katherine Watson was last seen in the Heaton Road area of Newcastle on Thursday September 19th, at around 1pm, Sky News reports.

Northumbria police has grown “increasingly concerned” for Katherine, known as Katie, who featured on Geordie Hospital, a popular TV series on Channel 4.

The body was found after “extensive searches” in the Jesmond Dene area, with formal identification yet to take place. However, Northumbria Police said “it is believed to be Katherine”.

via Northumbria Police

Officers do not believe there is third party involvement and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Katie went missing yesterday, wearing a green hat, dark trousers and hooded top and carrying a rucksack. Police said her disappearance was “concerning” and  “out of character”, adding that they were “increasingly concerned for her welfare”.

In a statement, Superintendent Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police explained that Katie’s next of kin had been informed: “Her next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

“This is an incredibly sad outcome and our thoughts are with Katherine’s loved ones at this difficult time. We will continue to support them in any way we can and we ask that their privacy is respected.”

Geordie Hospital was a six part series which followed hospital staff during their shift, filming the roles of surgeons, dental nurses and chaplains. Speaking about being on the show, Katie said: “We only have two things to offer, the gifts of time and presence, but we give them whole-heartedly.”

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Katie previously served as a Royal Military Police veteran and worked in conflict zones such as in the Balkans and Northern Ireland. She worked in Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for over 16 years and was made head of chaplaincy in 2020.

Following the news of her disappearance, a retired doctor who worked with her wrote a heartfelt message online. It read: “For many of us at Newcastle Hospitals she was our rock during the worst parts of the Covid pandemic.”

Another who knew Katie described her as “one of the most wonderful women I have had the pleasure of knowing”.

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Featured image via Northumbria Police