Police are currently searching for 19-year-old Richard Okorogheye, who is a missing student from West London, he went missing on March 22.

Who Is Richard Okorogheye?

Richard is a 19 year old student and is currently in his first year of a Business and IT degree at Oxford Brookes University.Prior to his disappearance, he told his mother that he had been "struggling" with lockdown restrictions.

Richard has sickle cell disease, which made him particularly vulnerable to Covid-19, which meant he had to shield.Richard needs to take regular blood transfusions as a result of his condition, which makes him even more vulnerable. He also takes medication twice a day.

His mother, Evidence Joel, has mentioned that he was "withdrawn" in the days before his disappearance, and she also went on to claim that his hygiene levels had dropped in the interview with Patricia Wharton below.

When Did Richard Okorogheye Go Missing?

The 19-year-old said that he was going to see a friend on March 22. He was last seen walking in the area of Kensington, West London approximately 8:40 PM.When Ms Joel returned from work, she assumed that Richard had returned home and in his bedroom.

She began to worry when she brought his favourite meal to his bedroom but did not hear a response. She also tried to call his telephone, to which he did not answer.With the assistance of a locksmith, she got into the bedroom to find him absent and to see that he had left his wallet, bus pass and bank card.

Despite Richard claiming to meet his friend, none of his friends recalls seeing him on that day.The Public is currently trying to push the message far and wide, giving Richard the best possible chance of being spotted and brought home.

How Have The Family Reacted?

Understandably, the family of Richard are deeply worried. His actions have been referred to as out of character. Leaving items such as his jacket and medication have led his family to believe that he is being "held against his will"In an interview with Sky News, his mother was brought to tears as she described Richard as her "oxygen" and described her current feeling as "empty"." All he said to me was 'mummy, I'm going to see my friend'. I trusted him, I had no doubt or no reason to ask him further questions"

"It's my baby, it's my treasure. He's my oxygen, he's my crown. He's everything to me, he's the reason why I live, the reason I exist."Right now I'm empty, there is nothing to look forward to. He's taken my breath away from me."

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134, or they can call 999 in an emergency.