Richard Okorogheye: The missing teenager from west London

Here we check out what we all know in regards to the west London pupil.

What will we learn about Mr Okorogheye?

READ MORE

Mr Okorogheye is 19-years-old and has sickle cell illness, an inherited well being situation that impacts the crimson blood cells.

Due to his well being situation, Mr Okorogheye was shielding through the coronavirus lockdown and would solely go away his residence to go to hospital for normal blood transfusions.

Ms Joel stated her son, who’s a enterprise and IT undergraduate at Oxford Brookes University, had spoken of “struggling to manage” with college pressures.

Richard Okorogheye is a enterprise and IT undergraduate at Oxford Brookes

/ PA Media

“Our ideas are with Richard’s household and family members at the moment, and we proceed to supply any assist we are able to,” stated professor Fitt.

Ms Joel beforehand advised The Guardian that ready for data on her son’s whereabouts has been “hell”, including: “Every day is a nightmare for me now.”

She advised the paper: “Every day is a nightmare for me now. I really feel utterly helpless. Helpless, and in addition, 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 search for him, seek for him, something.”

When did he go missing?

Ms Joel beforehand advised MyLondon that she recalled the teenager saying he was going to go to a buddy, though none of them have seen him, telling her to drive secure and that he would “see me later”.

She returned residence from a nursing shift at round 9pm and assumed he was in his room.

She cooked him a meal however discovered he was not there when she knocked on his door and he didn’t reply his phone.

The alarm was raised after a locksmith helped her achieve entry to the room which was empty however Richard’s pockets, bus move and financial institution card have been left behind.

The search

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

Initial police inquiries recognized the teenager leaving his residence handle and heading within the route of Ladbroke Grove at round 8.30pm.

CCTV footage exhibits he was sporting all black and had a black satchel bag with a white Adidas brand, worn throughout his decrease again.

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

CCTV footage exhibits Mr Okorogheye was sporting all black and had a black satchel bag with a white Adidas brand

/ PA

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

The drive stated Mr Okorogheye’s cellphone has not been in use since his disappearance.

She claimed: “[An officer] stated: ‘If you possibly can’t discover your son, how do you count on law enforcement officials to search out your son for you?’”

Police divers looked for a physique in Epping Forest

/ PA Media

Miss Joel stated she feared Richard had been groomed on-line by somebody holding him towards his will.

She described Richard as her cause for dwelling, including: “It’s my child, he’s my treasure, he’s my oxygen.”

The Met stated Richard’s disappearance was initially graded low-risk due to the numerous missing individual experiences it receives daily, usually involving younger folks.

A spokesman stated the drive was “dedicated to offering the very best service to households”, guaranteeing that they’re supported by specialist officers and knowledgeable of investigative updates as quickly as attainable.

He added: “Family members ought to all the time be handled with respect and dignity by officers, and trust that officers will make each effort to analyze the circumstances of the disappearance with a matter of urgency.

“The investigation into the disappearance of Richard Okorogheye stays ongoing. His household are being supported by a devoted household liaison officer whereas all obtainable sources are being utilised within the search.”

Recommended For You