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Prime suspect in Genette Tate's disappearance dies in prison

A notorious killer who was suspected by many for murdering missing Devon schoolgirl, Genette Tate, has died in prison. Robert Black, 68, died in Northern Ireland, where he was serving a life sentence for murdering four other children.

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Genette Tate's murder investigation in numbers

Robert Black was serving a life sentence for murdering 4 children. Credit: PA

A notorious killer who was the prime suspect for murdering a missing Devon schoolgirl has died in prison.

68 year-old Robert Black died of natural causes in Northern Ireland, where he was serving a life sentence.

Devon and Cornwall Police first started investigating the murder of Genette Tate following her disappearance in 1978.

ITV News have pulled together the figures behind the murder investigation.

19,000+
items of disclosure
6,000
actions raised
3,500
statements taken
12,000+
exhibits accumulated
600
police officers involved in investigation
250
large storage crates full of relevant material

The Crown Prosecution Service say following the death of Robert Black, they alongside Devon & Cornwall Police are making their final enquiries in the case.

This is a very large and complex case, with an extremely long history, and the CPS has worked closely with Devon & Cornwall Police.

We have been in close discussions with the police about the evidence that they have submitted, and the police are now making their final enquiries in the case, which would have enabled a charging decision to be made.

– Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson

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