By Victoria Mckeown-
The grief-stricken mother of missing Oxford Brookes student Richard Okorogheye has been informed today that the body of the man discovered by police in a pond in Epping Forest has been formerly identified as that of her son.
It is not understood why Richard, 19 travelled to Epping Forrest from his home in West London, especially as he left his wallet, bus pass and medication for his sickle cell condition in his bedroom.
Richard had been shielding at home throughout the pandemic because of his illness and his mother, Evidence Joel was concerned that Richard may have been suffering depression.
The teenager was a keen PlayStation gamer, and an appeal has been put out to his friends to come forward if they have any information as to why he made this journey..
The cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out, but a postmortem found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.
Det Supt Danny Gosling, head of the Met’s Central West Public Protection Unit, said: “My deepest sympathies go out to Richard’s family at this incredibly difficult time. This was not the outcome that any of us had hoped for and we will ensure that his grieving family are well supported by specially trained officers.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the many officers, staff and members of the public who have each played a part in the extensive effort to locate Richard.”
Richard’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The home secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Richard Okorogheye. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
“I am in contact with the Metropolitan police who continue their inquiries into his tragic death.”
The force said Okorogheye, a business and IT undergraduate at Oxford Brookes university, took a taxi journey from west London to a residential street in Loughton, Essex.
He was captured on CCTV walking alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton, towards the area of Nursery Road and Epping Forest on 23 March, which was the last confirmed sighting.
A post-mortem examination has indicated there was no trauma or assault to the body and cause of death is still yet to be established.
Det Supt Danny Gosling, head of the Met’s Central West Public Protection Unit, said: “My deepest sympathies go out to Richard’s family at this incredibly difficult time. This was not the outcome that any of us had hoped for and we will ensure that his grieving family are well supported by specially trained officers.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the many officers, staff and members of the public who have each played a part in the extensive effort to locate Richard.”