THE devastated mum of a 19-year-old boy whose body was found in Epping Forest two weeks after he vanished has today sobbed “my heart has been ripped apart”. Richard Okorogheye disappeared after telling his mother he was “struggling to cope” with lockdown. Cops yesterday confirmed a body found in a pond in Epping Forest, Essex, is […]
THE devastated mum of a 19-year-old boy whose body was found in Epping Forest two weeks after he vanished has today sobbed “my heart has been ripped apart”.
Richard Okorogheye disappeared after telling his mother he was “struggling to cope” with lockdown.
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Cops yesterday confirmed a body found in a pond in Epping Forest, Essex, is that of Oxford Brookes student Richard, who went missing from his home in Ladbroke Grove, west London, a fortnight ago.
Richard’s heartbroken mum Evidence Joel, 39, told Sky News she feels “completely hollow and devastated and empty”.
She added: “At this moment of time I just want answers as how my son lost his life. I want answers. I desperately need closure.”
Ms Joel described Richard as the “perfect child” and said she felt “lucky” to be his mother.
“He will always be my baby and I will always be his mother and no one can take that away from me,” she added.
Ms Joel said she had visited the site where her son’s body was found to lay flowers and found it a “very uncomfortable place to be”.
She said: “I wouldn’t want to be there. My son that I know cannot walk into that darkness, no torch, no light. An hour and 30 minutes from where he was last seen. He must have guts to do that. He’s only 19.
“What could push him to go that far if he wasn’t meeting somebody?”
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.
His death is being treated as unexplained and police do not currently think anyone else was involved.
Ms Joel said she was “surprised” to hear officers say that.
“Something happened there. It’s too far for Richard to walk into that darkness alone. You can’t, it’s tedious, it’s darkness.
“So how did he get there? What happened? We don’t know. I feel something happened there.”
Ms Joel said police are still searching for Richard’s shoes, phone and bag as his body was found without all three.
I want answers. I desperately need closure.
Richard Okorogheye's mum Evidence Joel
Tributes to the teen poured in overnight following the tragic news.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said last night: “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.”
Good Morning Britain’s stand-in weatherman Alex Beresford tweeted: “Richard Okorogheye’s body has sadly been identified. RIP!”
And Line of Duty star Daniel Mays said: “My deepest condolences to the family of Richard Okorogheye, especially his poor mother.
“The most heartbreaking of stories. We will remember him.”
Author Candice Carty-Williams shared a photo of Richard and his mother with the words: “Today is a sad day. Rest in peace Richard Okorogheye.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said 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.”
Presenter and YouTuber Amelia Dimoldenberg said: “My thoughts are with Richard Okorogheye’s family and his friends – his death is truly heartbreaking, may he rest in peace.”
And the official Black Lives Matter account posted: “Devastating news.
“Our hearts go out to Richards family and friends who have to experience this tragic loss. RIP Richard Okorogheye.”
A GoFundMe page has been sent up to help support Richard’s mum, and it has already raised almost £6,000.
Richard was last captured on CCTV walking in the direction of the forest in the early hours of March 23.
The student, who has sickle cell disease, left his home on March 22 and was seen walking in Kensington at around 8.40pm before boarding the 23 bus southbound.
Police said he travelled on a bus through the capital before taking a taxi to Loughton, Essex.
He was then seen on CCTV walking alone along Smarts Lane towards Epping Forest at 12.39am.
Police search officers, dog units, and specialist divers scoured the area for five days.
Tragically, a body was found in the forest on Easter Monday.
Speaking on Sky News last week, Ms Joel said she feared Richard had met someone through his PlayStation 5 who “gained his trust” before he came to harm.
She said: “I’m shocked he even knows where Loughton is, as I don’t even know where that place is.
“I think he went to meet somebody. Definitely. Richard cannot go there.
“Especially at that time in the morning. Someone was waiting for Richard.”
She continued: “Definitely, he was talking to someone. Someone that he trusted and was fond of. Maybe the person gave him confidence.
“Somehow knew his aspirations, his interests, so he confided in that person, built confidence and trust.”
Richard had been shielding due to a sickle cell disease since the pandemic took hold last year.
He would only leave the house to go to hospital for regular blood transfusions for his condition.
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.”
