UK: Body of missing Nigerian student found in Epping Forest pond

*’I’m devastated, I’m lost for words. I was hoping, dreaming, it wasn’t him’ – Mother

*He has been on some kind of setting at home and I think that got him depressed in some ways’ – Father

THE UK Metropolitan Police yesterday said that the body found in a lake in Epping Forest has been identified as that of the missing 19-year-old Nigerian student, Richard Okorogheye.

Confirming the tragic news in a tweet yesterday, the police stated:

“Our deepest sympathies are with Richard’s family at this incredibly difficult time.”

The body of Richard Okorogheye, a student of Oxford Brookes, had been found in a pond in Epping Forest on Monday afternoon, 12 days after he was reported missing.

Richard, reports say, had sickle cell disease and was said to be struggling with shielding during the pandemic. He left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of March 22, boarded a bus, and later took a 20-mile taxi ride from the W2 area of the capital to a residential street in Loughton, Essex.

“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.

According to the statement by the Metropolitan Police, the 19-year-old’s death was being treated as “unexplained,” and its officers did not believe there was any third-party involvement at this stage of the investigation.

“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.”

Devastated, lost for word – Richard’s Mother

The mother of the late teenager, Evidence Joel, said she had ‘hoped and dreamed’ the body wouldn’t be Richard’s, after the body at the pond was identified as her son’s.

“I’m devastated, I’m lost for words. I was hoping, dreaming, it wasn’t him. I was hoping I will go there and say it’s a mistake, it’s not Richard, but it is Richard,” she said.

Ms Joel visited Epping Forest with family and friends to lay flowers near the pond his body was found in.

She said the cause of Richard’s death is still unknown, according to police, but she is waiting for an update before the end of the week.

She had last seen her 19-year-old son on Monday, March 22 after he told her he was going to visit a friend.

After his failure to return home on Monday evening, Evidence Joel hired a locksmith to open his door which revealed he was not there.

Richard’s father blames depression

In a news interview, Richard’s father, Christian, described him as a tall and strong teenager who enjoys talking to his friends.

He went on to blame his son’s disappearance on depression following the lockdown and long stay at home.

“He is a tall strong man; he enjoys talking to his friends,” he said.

“At a point, he got cut off from his friends. Somehow, it happened that he met some people who we were not 100% sure about.

“It has been very devastating. I don’t know how to describe it but it is serious. All we want to do now is how to get him back and tell us his story.

“Richard has been on some kind of setting at home and I think that got him depressed in some ways. When you keep someone at home for like one month plus, and with all these things happening, it added to it. I think he got really fed up with the whole thing.”

“I can neither eat nor sleep,” best friend laments

Richard’s best friend, Hala Mohamed, 18, had said she is struggling to process the teenager’s sudden disappearance, and could neither eat nor sleep.

Hala has known 19-year-old Richard all her life, and lives in the same block of flats, attended secondary school and sixth form with him.

She told an online newpaper, MyLondon, that his disappearance was the “worst feeling ever”.

“I can’t sleep, I can’t eat. He was everything to me, it’s a shock to the system, I don’t think I’ve processed everything,” she added.

In a tribute to Richard, she said: “He’s funny, full of life, always joking around, playing around.

“He always pushes you to be your best version of yourself and doesn’t want you to settle. He pushed me to start my clothing line.”

According to MyLondon, Hala, who studies Fashion and Business Management at the University of Creative Arts, said they both discussed the struggles of university during the pandemic.

She, however, said Richard didn’t show any signs of odd behaviour before he went missing and she has been touched by the public’s heartfelt reaction to his disappearance.

“It’s been amazing, I never thought it’d go this far,” she said.

“I expected for a few people to hear it but not as big as it went but it means the world that people do care.”

The UK Police has stated that investigation into the circumstances of Richard’s death is still ongoing.

“Specialist search teams remain in parts of Epping Forest, Loughton as they continue to carry out further searches as part of the investigation,” the police said.