Police begin search in Essex after new sighting of missing 19-year-old student
Police investigating the disappearance of Richard Okorogheye are now searching in Loughton, Essex, after a new sighting last placed him in the area.
The 19-year-old was captured on CCTV walking alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on Tuesday, March 23.
Richard, 19, who is a student at Oxford Brookes University, is believed to have left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area on the evening of Monday, March 22, and was reported missing two days later.
Enquiries have identified Richard left his home address and headed in the direction of Ladbroke Grove at around 8.30pm.
In a previously confirmed sighting, Richard was seen boarding the 23 bus southbound in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm.
Further enquires have established that Richard then took a taxi journey to a residential street in Loughton.
CCTV footage shows he was wearing all-black and had a black satchel-bag with a white ‘ADIDAS’ logo, worn across his lower back.
Detectives are working around the clock to trace his next steps after this sighting and have begun searches in and around the Epping Forest as well as carrying out door to door enquiries.
They are also working alongside specialist search teams and colleagues from Essex Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicki Beecher, from the from the Met’s Area West Public Protection Unit, said: “It has now been nine days since Richard was last seen in person and we remain as committed as ever to locating him and bringing him home to his family.
“Our officers are working extremely hard to piece together the facts in order to build a picture of Richard’s movements on the evening of Monday, March 22.
“Latest information suggests he was last seen in Loughton in Essex and we are now focusing our attention here with specialist search officers from across the Met brought in to assist.
“Our enquiries also continue in the Ladbroke Grove, W10 area where local officers have been carrying out search patrols and also community patrols to gather information from local residents.
“I would once again like to renew our appeal to the public for any information which may assist with our enquiries. If you may have seen Richard – particularly in the Loughton area – or have any information at all, please contact police.”
In a statement, Richard’s mother said: “Richard we love you and miss you very much, please can you come home.
“We aren’t angry at you. We just want to know that you’re okay.
“For anyone reading this, we are desperately missing our son. “If you know anything or know where he might be, please come forward and speak to the police.”
Friends have used social media to spread appeals to help trace the teenager that have been shared thousands of times, including by celebrities such as the singer Dua Lipa and the author Bonnie Greer.
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