Tributes paid to Newcastle chaplain found dead after going missing

Tributes have been pouring in for a chaplain who was found dead in a park in Newcastle.

Katherine Watson - known to many as Katie - was found dead in the Jesmond Dene area of the city on Friday (September 20th). She died at the age of 50.

She had initially gone missing from her home not far from where she was found on Thursday afternoon (September 19th).

The chaplain had become known to much of the public when she appeared in the Channel 4 series Geordie Hospital.

Northumbria Police confirmed that a body had been discovered, which they believed was the TV star.

They added that formal identification is yet to take place, but the force believed that the body discovered was that of Katie.

In a statement, Northumbria Police said: "This is an incredibly sad outcome and our thoughts are with Katherine’s loved-ones at this difficult time. We continue to support them and we ask that their privacy is respected."

Similarly, a joint response from the Bishops of Newcastle and Berwick paid tribute to the star, whose presence will be greatly missed, they said.

The statement read: "It is with a profound sense of sadness and grief that we received the news about Katie, and our first thoughts are with her partner Emily and their children and all who knew and loved Katie.

"From her much valued work as a hospital chaplain, which reached beyond the bounds of the North East, to her many colleagues from her past career, and the sporting and running communities she was a part of, to all of us here in the Diocese of Newcastle, we mourn her death with a deep feeling of loss."

Mark Wroe and Helen-Ann Hartley added: "Katie was ordained deacon in 2020 and lived out her vocation in service, compassion, and humility.

"There is much more that we want to say but for now we express our grief and our love and prayers to Katie’s family, friends, and colleagues."

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