Richard Okorogheye: Police confirm body found in Epping Forest pond is missing student

Police confirmed a body found in Epping Forest is missing 19-year-old student Richard Okorogheye. 

Officers from Essex Police found the body on Monday but the remains were only formally identified this afternoon. 

Detectives have said they do not suspect any third-party involvement in his death ‘at this stage’. 

Police have confirmed the body of a man discovered in a pond in Epping Forest is Richard Okorogheye, 19, pictured  

Hala Mohamed, who has known Richard, 19, since birth (pictured together), admitted she was struggling to come to terms with the events of the last two weeks, since he disappeared after leaving his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London

Hala Mohamed, who has known Richard, 19, since birth (pictured together), admitted she was struggling to come to terms with the events of the last two weeks, since he disappeared after leaving his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London

According to Scotland Yard: ‘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, March 22. He was reported missing on Wednesday, March 24.

‘His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.’

Officers are currently treating his death as ‘unexplained’ and detectives do not believe there was any third party involvement. 

The post mortem did not find any evidence of physical trauma or assault.    

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.  

Mr Okorogheye has not been seen by his family since 22 March when he left their home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London

Mr Okorogheye has not been seen by his family since 22 March when he left their home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London

Community nurse Evidence Joel, 39, (pictured) 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'

Community nurse Evidence Joel, 39, (pictured) 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’

Mr Okorogheye's mother Evidence Joel previously said the Oxford Brookes University student had spoken of 'struggling to cope' with university pressures

Mr Okorogheye’s mother Evidence Joel previously said the Oxford Brookes University student had spoken of ‘struggling to cope’ with university pressures

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan sympathised with Mr Okorogheye’s family. He wrote on Twitter: ‘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.’

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.’

Metropolitan Police officers at the scene at the Wake Valley pond in Epping Forest following the discovery of a man's body. April 6

Metropolitan Police officers at the scene at the Wake Valley pond in Epping Forest following the discovery of a man’s body. April 6

Metropolitan Police at the scene at Wake Valley pond in Epping Forest following the discovery of a man's body. Richard Okorogheye's mother was told the body matches his description

Metropolitan Police at the scene at Wake Valley pond in Epping Forest following the discovery of a man’s body. Richard Okorogheye’s mother was told the body matches his description

A body was discovered in a pond in Epping Forest on the fifth day of police searches. The scene at Wake Valley pond in Epping Forest is pictured

A body was discovered in a pond in Epping Forest on the fifth day of police searches. The scene at Wake Valley pond in Epping Forest is pictured

Metropolitan Police officers at the scene at the Wake Valley pond car park in Epping Forest. April 6

Metropolitan Police officers at the scene at the Wake Valley pond car park in Epping Forest. April 6

Police officers are pictured at Epping Forest after the body was discovered on Monday afternoon

Police officers are pictured at Epping Forest after the body was discovered on Monday afternoon

A map showing the movements of missing Richard Okorogheye, 19, last seen on CCTV, Loughton, Essex, March 23

A map showing the movements of missing Richard Okorogheye, 19, last seen on CCTV, Loughton, Essex, March 23

The 19-year-old, who has sickle cell disease, was last seen in CCTV footage recorded near Epping Forest the day after his disappearance

The 19-year-old, who has sickle cell disease, was last seen in CCTV footage recorded near Epping Forest the day after his disappearance

Police confirmed Richard’s death was ‘unexplained’ although a post mortem has ruled out third party involvement ‘at this stage’

His mother Evidence Joel, 39, has previously said that her son had spoken of ‘struggling to cope’ with university pressures and had been shielding during the Covid-19 lockdown.  

‘I think he went to meet somebody. Definitely. Richard cannot go there. Especially at that time in the morning … someone was waiting for Richard.’  

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

Initial police inquiries identified Mr Okorogheye leaving his home address and heading in the direction of Ladbroke Grove at around 8.30pm.

In a previously confirmed sighting on Monday March 22, Mr Okorogheye was seen boarding the number 23 bus southbound in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm.

Police divers have been seen searching a pond in Epping Forest as part of the investigation into the disappearance of 19-year-old student Richard Okorogheye. Pictured: April 2

Police divers have been seen searching a pond in Epping Forest as part of the investigation into the disappearance of 19-year-old student Richard Okorogheye. Pictured: April 2

Police search teams search a pond in Epping Forest. A confirmed sighting of him in Loughton, Essex had police searching Epping Forest. April 1

Police search teams search a pond in Epping Forest. A confirmed sighting of him in Loughton, Essex had police searching Epping Forest. April 1

Police divers were deployed to search ponds in the woodland in north-east London. April 1

Police divers were deployed to search ponds in the woodland in north-east London. April 1

CCTV footage shows he was wearing all black and had a black satchel bag with a white Adidas logo, worn across his lower back.

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 captured on CCTV walking alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton, towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on Tuesday March 23.

On Thursday, the force said Mr Okorogheye’s phone has not been in use since his disappearance. 

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134. 

Essex Police search team pictured in Epping Forest, north-east London. April 1

Essex Police search team pictured in Epping Forest, north-east London. April 1

An area is cordoned off as police search teams work their way through woodland in Epping Forest on April 1

An area is cordoned off as police search teams work their way through woodland in Epping Forest on April 1

Police teams prepare to search an area in Epping Forest on horseback on April 1

Police teams prepare to search an area in Epping Forest on horseback on April 1

On March 22, Mr Okorogheye was seen boarding the 23 bus southbound in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm. CCTV shows he was wearing all black and a black satchel bag with white Adidas logo

On March 22, Mr Okorogheye was seen boarding the 23 bus southbound in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm. CCTV shows he was wearing all black and a black satchel bag with white Adidas logo

Mr Okorogheye was seen boarding the 23 southbound bus in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm on March 22

Mr Okorogheye was seen boarding the 23 southbound bus in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm on March 22