THE Met police have confirmed the body found in a lake in Epping Forest is 19-year-old Oxford Brookes student Richard Okorogheye.
Richard, 19, disappeared two weeks ago after taking a taxi from his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London to Loughton in Essex having told his mum he was “struggling to cope” with lockdown.
His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The tragic teenager’s death is being treated as unexplained and police do not currently believe there was any third-party involvement.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Detective Superintendent 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.”
It comes after Richard’s mother Evidence Joel told of her agony after police found a body in the search for Richard that matched her son’s description.
She told the Evening Standard: “We thought Richard would be found, or would just come home. But he’s not.
“My baby will never come home to his mummy again. He was taken away from me too early. The only child I have. It’s devastating and the last thing I thought I’d hear.”
Follow our live blog below for the latest Richard Okorogheye updates…
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PRITI PATEL ‘THOUGHTS & PRAYERS’ WITH TEEN’S FAMILY
Home Secretary Priti Patel said her “thoughts and prayers” were with the family of Richard Okorogheye.
She wrote on Twitter: “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.”
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RICHARD’S MUM, FAMILY & FRIENDS VISIT EPPING FOREST
Evidence Joel, the bereaved mum of tragic Richard Okorogheye, has visited Epping Forest to pray and lay flowers in a touching farewell.
She laid flowers at the lake where the 19-year-old’s body was found in Essex.
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PROBE FOR CLUES CONTINUES IN EPPING FOREST
Specialist teams remain in parts of Epping Forest as they continue to carry out further searches.
Richard’s death is being treated as unexplained and cops do not believe at this stage that there was any third-party involvement.
The cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out, however police found no evidence of physical trauma or assault, the force said.
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BODY FOUND IN EPPING FOREST LAKE CONFIRMED AS RICHARD OKOROGHEYE
Cops have confirmed that the body of a man found in a lake in Epping Forest, Essex, is that of missing 19-year-old Richard Okorogheye.
The teen went missing after leaving his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of Monday March 22.
Following a post-mortem examination on Wednesday, Met police said the body has been confirmed as that of Richard.
The family of the student, who has sickle cell disease, have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, Met Police added.
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‘THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS’
Home Secretary Priti Patel said her “thoughts and prayers” were with the family of Richard Okorogheye and that she was in contact with Scotland Yard as inquiries into the 19-year-old’s death continue.
She wrote on Twitter: “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.”
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BODY FOUND
Police have confirmed the body of a man found in a lake in Epping Forest, Essex, is that of missing 19-year-old Richard Okorogheye.
Mr Okorogheye went missing after leaving his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of Monday March 22.
On Monday, the Metropolitan Police said they were informed by Essex Police that the body of a man was found in a pond in the woodland.
Following a post-mortem examination on Wednesday, police said the body has been confirmed as that of Mr Okorogheye.
The family of the student, who has sickle cell disease, have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, Met Police said.
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RICHARD OKOROGHEYE’S CAUSE OF DEATH ‘STILL PENDING’ SAY POLICE AS FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE
The Met police force said the cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out.
Detective superintendent 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.”
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BLACK LIVES MATTER UK: ‘RIP RICHARD OKOROGHEYE’
The official BLMUK account said: “Devastating news.
“Our hearts go out to Richards family and friends who have to experience this tragic loss.
“RIP Richard Okorogheye.”
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LABOUR MP OFFERS ‘THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS’ TO RICHARD’SFAMILY
Labour MP Zarah Sultana tweeted: “Police have confirmed that the body found in Epping Forest on Monday has been formally identified as missing 19-year-old student Richard Okorogheye.
“Utterly heartbreaking news.”
The MP for Coventry South added: “My thoughts & prayers are with his family & everyone who knew & loved him.
“Rest in peace, Richard.”
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RICHARD’S DEATH TREATED AS ‘UNEXPLAINED’ AS POLICE BELIEVE NO THIRD PARTY INVOLVEMENT
The Met Police said the death is being treated as unexplained but officers do not believe there was any third-party involvement “at this stage”.
A post mortem took place on Wednesday and found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.
The force said the cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out.
Detective superintendent 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.”
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MET POLICE OFFER ‘DEEPEST SYMPATHIES” TO FAMILY OF RICHARD OKOROGHEYE
The cause of Richard’s death is pending as further investigations are carried out, but the postmortem found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.
Richard’s mum sobbed earlier as she told the Evening Standard: “My baby will never come home to his mummy again.”
Detective Superintendent 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.”
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MAPPED: RICHARD OKOROGHEYE BODY IS FOUND
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MET POLICE OFFER ‘DEEPEST SYMPATHIES” TO FAMILY OF RICHARD OKOROGHEYE
The cause of Richard’s death is pending as further investigations are carried out, but the postmortem found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.
Richard’s mum sobbed earlier as she told the Evening Standard: “My baby will never come home to his mummy again.”
Detective Superintendent 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.”
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MUM OF MISSING RICHARD OKOROGHEYE LAYS FLOWERS IN EPPING FOREST AFTER BODY FOUND IN SEARCH FOR TEEN
THE heartbroken mum and friends of Richard Okorogheye have laid flowers in Epping Forest as it was confirmed tonight that the teenager’s body has been found.
Richard, 19, disappeared two weeks ago after telling his mum he was “struggling to cope” with lockdown.
Read more here.
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CAUSE OF DEATH STILL PENDING, SAY POLICE
The cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out, however police found no evidence of physical trauma or assault, the Met Police force said.
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MET POLICE TWEET CONFIRMING BODY IS THAT OF RICHARD
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MAYOR OF LONDON SADIQ KHAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO RICHARD
The Mayor of London has offered his condolences to Richard’s family.
Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Londoners across our city will be holding the family and friends of Richard Okorogheye in our hearts tonight.
“My deepest sympathies go out to his loved ones at this truly tragic time.”
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FULL MET POLICE STATEMENT (CONTINUED…)
“Detective Superintendent 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.”
“The investigation into the circumstances of Richard’s death is ongoing.
“Specialist search teams remain in parts of Epping Forest, Loughton as they continue to carry out further searches as part of the investigation.”
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FULL MET POLICE STATEMENT ON DISCOVERY OF RICHARD’S BODY
“On Monday, 5 April, at approximately 14:01hrs, the Met was informed by colleagues from Essex Police that the body of a man had been found in a lake in Epping Forest.
“Formal identification has now taken place and the body has been confirmed as that of 19-year-old Richard Okorogheye.
“Richard went missing from his home in Ladbroke Grove on Monday, 22 March. He was reported missing on Wednesday, 24 March. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
“Richard’s death is being treated as unexplained and police do not believe, at this stage, that there was any third-party involvement. A forensic post mortem took place on Wednesday, 7 April. The cause of death is pending whilst further investigations are carried out, however it found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.
“As a matter of routine, as Richard had been reported missing prior to the discovery of his body, a referral has been made to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) and to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
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RICHARD TOOK TAXI FROM WEST TO EAST LONDON AS INQUIRIES CONTINUE
Mr Okorogheye left his family home at around 8.30pm on March 22 and headed in the direction of Ladbroke Grove.
Police said further inquiries have established that he then took a taxi journey from the W2 area of London to a residential street in Loughton.
He was last seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, walking alone on Smarts Lane towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on Tuesday March 23.
The force said Mr Okorogheye’s phone has not been in use since his disappearance. Mr Okorogheye’s mother, Evidence Joel, previously said her son had spoken of “struggling to cope” with university pressures and had been shielding during the Covid-19 lockdown.
As someone with sickle cell disease, Mr Okorogheye would only leave the house to go to hospital for regular blood transfusions for his condition.
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MET POLICE OFFER ‘DEEPEST SYMPATHIES” TO FAMILY OF RICHARD OKOROGHEYE
The cause of Richard’s death is pending as further investigations are carried out, but the postmortem found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.
Richard’s mum sobbed earlier as she told the Evening Standard: “My baby will never come home to his mummy again.”
Detective Superintendent 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.”
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PICTURED: RICHARD OKOROGHEYE
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RICHARD OKOROGHEYE: POLICE CONFIRM BODY FOUND IN EPPING FOREST IS MISSING TEEN
COPS have today confirmed a body found in a forest pond is that of missing teen Richard Okorogheye, 19, who vanished a fortnight ago.
The Oxford Brookes student disappeared after telling his mum he was “struggling to cope” with lockdown.
Read more here.
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CAUSE OF DEATH STILL PENDING, SAY POLICE
The cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out, however police found no evidence of physical trauma or assault, the Met Police force said.
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PRITI PATEL OFFERS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO RICHARD’S FAMILY
Home Secretary Priti Patel said her “thoughts and prayers” were with the family of Richard Okorogheye and that she was in contact with Scotland Yard as inquiries into the 19-year-old’s death continue.
She wrote on Twitter: “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.”