Richard Okorogheye missing: Police find body in pond during search for teenage

A body has been discovered in the search for lacking teenager Richard Okorogheye, police have confirmed this night.

It comes after weeks of intensive searches for the 19-year-old, together with in woodland areas and water throughout north-east London, the place he was final seen.

The body was discovered in a pond in Epping Forest by Essex Police.

A press release from the Metropolitan Police mentioned: “This afternoon the Met had been knowledgeable by colleagues from @EssexPoliceUK {that a} body had been discovered in a pond in #EppingForest.

“While enquiries to establish the body proceed, the household of lacking 19-year-old Richard Okorogheye have been knowledgeable.”

The pupil left his household house in the Ladbroke Grove space of west London on the night of March 22 earlier than being reported lacking two days later.

Police search groups search a pond in Epping Forest

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He was final seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, in the early hours of March 23 strolling in the direction of Epping Forest.

The Met mentioned on Sunday the search of woodland continued for a fourth day however at that stage nothing of relevance to the investigation had been discovered.

Mum Evidence Joel mentioned previous to in the present day’s discovery of the body, ready for info on her son’s whereabouts has been “hell”.

She instructed The Guardian: “Every day is a nightmare for me now.

Police search teams have been scouring woodlands and water in the north-east London area

Police search groups have been scouring woodlands and water in the north-east London space

Police search teams work their way through woodland in Epping Forest

Richard was final seen strolling in the direction of Epping Forest

“I really feel fully helpless. Helpless, and likewise, sorry to make use of this phrase, however I really feel ineffective. Because I wish to go on the market, to do one thing to look for him, search for him, something.

“But I can not”, she mentioned of needing to stay at house in case he made contact.

She additionally issued a message to her son, telling him: “Everybody misses you. And we love you very a lot. We need you house. Please come house.”

Scotland Yard beforehand mentioned that detectives proceed to maintain an open thoughts in regards to the Oxford Brookes University pupil’s whereabouts.

Initial police inquiries recognized Richard, who has sickle cell illness, leaving his house handle and heading in the route of Ladbroke Grove at round 8.30pm on the night time he went lacking.

Richard Okorogheye

Richard went lacking on March 22

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In a beforehand confirmed sighting the next day he was seen boarding the quantity 23 bus southbound in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm.

Police mentioned additional inquiries have established that he then took a taxi journey from the W2 space of London to a residential avenue in Loughton.

He was captured on CCTV strolling alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton, in the direction of Epping Forest at 12.39am on Tuesday March 23.

On Thursday, the power mentioned Richard’s cellphone had not been in use since his disappearance.

Ms Joel beforehand mentioned that her son had spoken of “struggling to manage” with college pressures and had been shielding during the Covid-19 lockdown.

As somebody with sickle cell illness, he would solely depart the home to go to hospital for common blood transfusions for his situation.

She frightened the present chilly climate, which may trigger her son substantial ache, was a significant concern after he did not take a jacket when he left house.

Ms Joel added she had no thought as to what may have prompted Richard’s disappearance, and known as on his on-line group of buddies to contact police if they’ve any info.

Anyone with info is requested to name police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134.

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