Missing Student With Sickle Cell

[tiggerblue10]

https://news.sky.com/story/missing-oxford-student-has-chronic-condition-and-was-struggling-to-cope-with-shielding-mum-says-12259978

He has been missing since 22 March and his mother says the police aren't taking this seriously. Do you think she is right?

[pixie374]

It does seem very out of character, from what she has said. I don't know what the police are actually doing and I know he is an adult, but it seems something is wrong.

[ummmm]

I'd be extremely worried and it should be taken very seriously.

[douglas9401]

"There are eight million stories in the naked city"

I'm sure authorities are doing what they can.

[Paigntonian]

At least the media are covering it in detail. One less chance to criticise journos.

[Canary42]

Unless/until the police find him, it's natural she would feel that way - any mother would. Whether they're right is doubtful. But the police are used to invalid criticism, it goes with the job, and the Mucky Media lap it up of course.

[AuntPollyGrey]

I'd be out of my head by now if he was mine -I hope he's found soon the poor woman.

[bednobs]

if he isn't dead, and isn't taking his meds, it's inevitable he'll have a sickle cell crisis at some point that'll mean he has to access a hospital and he'll then be "found" although as he is a man, if he doesn't want anyone to tell his mum then they shouldn't.
Loads of men and women go missing every year and don't want to be found

[Paigntonian]

Canary: You learned about it from the media you affect to deride. They're helping for goodness sake.

[youngmafbog]

It's not looking good, she must be out of her mind by now.

As for the Old Bill unfortunately many are not the sharpest in the drawer and so can be very tactless and use a poor choice of words. Which is what has probably happened here.

[Mamyalynne]

I rather think his Mum is right, if he was finding it hard to cope with remote learning he may have bumped into someone on the internet.

I hope whoever he has teamed up with doesn't intend to harm him.

I too would be going insane.

[tiggerblue10]

I'd be sick with worry too. Poor woman.

I can't believe what she said the police response was. 'If you can't find your son then how can you expect the police to find him'!

[bednobs]

if he has "just left" I agree with them (if that is indeed what they said)
If he's been shielding for a year and literally only going out for monthly blood transfusions, I don't get this bit:
"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"
Hasn't been out for a year and leaves with 1 line and she didn't ask him further questions??

[webbo3]

The big bad police at fault again.

[youngmafbog]

Well they dont do themselves any favours of late do they webbo?

In this case its just tactless I suspect but on top of all the other high profile failings ....

[barry1010]

At the bottom of that report the police state:
"The investigation into the disappearance of Richard Okorogheye remains ongoing - his family are being supported by a dedicated family liaison officer while all available resources are being utilised in the search."

Seems to me the police are taking it seriously

[barry1010]

And in the body of the report:
"Chief Inspector Clare McCarthy, of the Met's central west command unit, said: "Our officers have been working tirelessly to locate Richard, using all investigative opportunities and data enquiries, speaking with witnesses and trawling CCTV.

"We are following every lead possible and are appealing for the public to help us in our work. If you may have seen Richard, please contact police."

What else can they do?

[roopower]

A lot goes on in the background in an investigation now, cctv etc. I can u derstand his mother being worried, any mother would but he is a man and perhaps not seen as pressing as if he was nine. It's very difficult to repear what has been said to you and just using slightly different words can change the original meaning.

[bednobs]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56641583

[Mamyalynne]

Oh no.

[anneasquith]

Tragic. RIP.