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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tom Pilgrim

Richard Okorogheye: New images of missing student as mum pleads for public's help

Detectives have released new images of a missing student as the teen's worried mum pleads for the public's help with the investigation into his disappearance.

Nineteen-year-old Richard Okorogheye, who has sickle cell disease, was last seen over a week ago.

According to his mum, Evidence Joel, he had been shielding during lockdown and "struggling to cope" with university pressures.

Tonight she issued an emotional appeal for his return, saying: "Richard we love you and miss you very much, please can you come home?"

The Metropolitan Police also renewed its appeal for information as it issued CCTV images from the night Richard was last seen over a week ago.

The teen is believed to have left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of March 22. He was reported missing two days later.

The Met issued this CCTV image of Richard Okorogheye seen wearing a satchel and face mask as he walks through west London (PA)

As someone with sickle cell disease, Richard would only leave the house to go to hospital for regular blood transfusions for his condition.

The Met said the 19-year-old left his home and headed in the direction of Ladbroke Grove on March 22 at approximately 8.30pm.

The last confirmed sighting of Richard was when he was seen boarding the 23 southbound bus in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm.

CCTV footage showed the student wearing an all-black outfit and carrying across his lower back a black satchel-bag featuring a white Adidas logo.

Richard's mother has issued an emotional plea for him to come home (PA)

Police said it was unknown at which stop Richard got off the bus, adding that he was known to frequent London's Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham areas.

Ms Joel previously told MyLondon that her son had "never done anything like this", adding: "Something has gone wrong."

In a new statement issued on her behalf by police on Tuesday evening, she 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."

The Met Police issued this new CCTV image of missing student Richard walking through west London (PA)

Ms Joel previously said she recalled the teenager saying he was going to visit a friend, although none of them have seen him, telling her to drive safe and that he would "see me later".

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

She cooked him a meal but found he was not there when she knocked on his door and he did not answer his phone.

The alarm was raised after a locksmith helped her gain entry to the room which was empty but Richard's wallet, bus pass and bank card were left behind.

Richard has now been missing more than a week, sparking concerns for his welfare (PA)

Detective chief Inspector Nicki Beecher, from the Met's Area West Public Protection Unit, said: "Our officers are continuing to work around the clock to locate Richard and bring him home to his worried family.

"We are keen to speak with anyone who may have been around Ladbroke Grove at the time of Richard's last known sighting as captured above - you might be able to help us trace his next steps.

"If you may have seen Richard, please contact police, no detail is too insignificant.

"If Richard is safe and well, we ask him to contact us as a matter of urgency so that we can put his family's minds at ease."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134, or they can call 999 in an emergency.

They could also go online to pass any information on to the charity Missing People.

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