Police Confirm Body Found In Essex Is Missing Student Richard Okorogheye

Officers found a body whilst searching for the Oxford Brookes University student at a pond in Epping Forest on Monday evening and have now officially confirmed that it is Okorogheye.

The police said that Mr Okorogheye's family have been informed and are receiving support from specially trained officers.

The Metropolitan Police tweeted: "A formal identification has confirmed that a body found in #EppingForest is that of Richard Okorogheye.

"Our deepest sympathies are with Richard's family at this incredibly difficult time. They continue to be supported by specialist officers."

Detective Superintendent Danny Gosling 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."

While the police do not believe that anyone else was involved in Mr Okorogheye's death, they are treating it as unexplained.

A post-mortem examination found no evidence of assault or physical trauma. His cause of death is pending until further investigations have been carried out.

The initial enquiries into his disappearance identified the 19-year-old leaving his home in Ladbroke Grove at around 8.30pm on 22 March.

He was later seen boarding a bus and heading southbound around 15 minutes later.

It was then established that Okorogheye had taken a taxi from West London to Loughton, Essex, where he was spotted on CCTV walking along Smarts Lane towards Nursery Road and Epping Forest at around 12.39am on Tuesday 23 March.

That was the last time he was sighted.

The police statement added: "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."

The investigation into the circumstances that led to Richard's death is ongoing.