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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Barney Davis

Upale Kaloshi: Family grieve as body found in search for missing Amazon worker

A body that has washed up on a Dover beach is believed to be that of missing Amazon worker Upale Kaloshi.

The 21-year-old was reported missing on May 21, after last being seen in Dover, with police releasing a CCTV image of him ordering at a café.

Concerns for Mr Kaloshi, from Deptford, south-east London, grew after he failed to turn up to his night shift at an Amazon warehouse in Dartford, his family said.

On Thursday his older sister Lukondo Kaloshi, 24, claimed that the family’s private investigator had discovered a body that matched the description of Upale by a shore in Dover.

Kent Police confirmed a body was found on Wednesday but said formal identification was still ongoing.

She wrote an emotional update on Instagram alongside videos of Upale dancing and getting annoyed by her guitar skills in their bedroom.

If [police] acted sooner with urgency like we constantly begged them to, we could have found him.

Lukondo Kaloshi, Upale’s elder sister

She said: “This is the worst thing I’ve ever experienced in my life and I’m truly sorry for people who have gone through this.

“For those who didn’t know Upale, this is Upale. He is intelligent, so hard working , so likeable, if you’ve ever met him, I promise you’d never forget him.

“This still makes no sense and I’m sorry you were failed little bro. We love you so much Upale.

“I’m still looking out the window waiting for you to come back I refuse to believe this.

“This was meant to be your testimony Upale, we were so excited to hear it after the way people have prayed for you! Just to confirm his Identity, we have to wait for a month?!? A month?! This system is horrible.”

She added: “Unfortunately, we received the worst news we’ve ever heard. A body was found matching the description of Upale by a shore in Dover yesterday morning; the body was found by our private investigator. He was there for 7 days! 7 days! It all doesn’t make sense!”

Upale’s disappearance was described at the time as being “completely opposite” from his normal behaviour.

His cousin added on Twitter: “Had the police done something sooner we would not be in this position now I’m here wondering why, how and what? My heart is completely broken.

“Please keep my family and him in your prayers. Until we meet again little brother. Rest in Peace. I love you .”

A Kent Police spokesman said: “On Wednesday 7 June 2023, the body of a man was discovered near Dover. Officers attended and sadly the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of a 21-year-old man from south-east London, who was reported missing on Sunday 21 May, have been informed.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner.”

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