The mother of a missing student has said her life has become a "complete nightmare" in the wake of his disappearance.
The search continues for Richard Okorogheye who left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of Monday March 22.
Mr Okorogheye, who has sickle cell disease was last seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, in the early hours of Tuesday March 23, walking towards Epping Forest.
The Metropolitan Police said the search of woodland continued for a fourth day on Sunday but nothing of relevance to the investigation has been found.
Police divers have been deployed and were seen in one of the bodies of water in the woodland.
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Police divers in Epping Forest on Good Friday. Credit: Met Police
Richard Okorogheye. Credit: Met Police
Speaking to the national Guardian newspaper, Mr Okorogheye’s mother, Evidence Joel, said waiting for information on her son’s whereabouts has been "hell".
She told the paper: "Every day is a nightmare for me now.
"I feel completely helpless. Helpless, and also, sorry to use this word, but I feel useless. Because I want to go out there, to do something to look for him, search for him, anything.
"But I can’t", she said of needing to remain at home in case he makes contact.
Richard Okorogheye. Credit: Met Police
Scotland Yard previously said that detectives continue to keep an open mind about the Oxford Brookes University student’s whereabouts.
Initial police inquiries identified Mr Okorogheye leaving his home address and heading in the direction of Ladbroke Grove at around 8.30pm.
In a previously confirmed sighting on Monday March 22, Mr Okorogheye was seen boarding the number 23 bus southbound in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm.
CCTV footage shows he was wearing all black and had a black satchel bag with a white Adidas logo, worn across his lower back.
Police said further inquiries have established that he then took a taxi journey from the W2 area of London to a residential street in Loughton.
He was captured on CCTV walking alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton, towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on March 23.
Screengrabs of Richard Okorogheye seen on CCTV in Loughton. Credit: PA/Met Police
Please #SHARE | Richard Okorogheye, 19, was last seen via CCTV on Smarts Lane, Loughton, walking towards Epping Forest at 00:30hrs on 23 March.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 1, 2021
Have you seen him? Please 📞 101 Ref 21MIS008134.
➡️ https://t.co/cDhDAVTRDd pic.twitter.com/qTHDXaLZLi
On Thursday, the force said Mr Okorogheye’s phone has not been in use since his disappearance.
Ms Joel previously said that her son had spoken of "struggling to cope" with university pressures and had been shielding during the Covid-19 lockdown.
As someone with sickle cell disease, Mr Okorogheye would only leave the house to go to hospital for regular blood transfusions for his condition.
She told The Guardian the current cold weather, which could cause Mr Okorogheye substantial pain, was a major concern.
She said: "We know he didn’t take a jacket when he went out. That’s really worrying."
Ms Joel added she had no idea as to what could have prompted Mr Okorogheye’s disappearance, and called on his online community of friends to contact police if they have any information.
She also issued a message to her son, telling him: "Everybody misses you. And we love you very much. We want you home. Please come home."
Police have been searching Epping Forest. Credit: Met Police
Detective Superintendent Danny Gosling, head of the Met’s central west public protection unit, said: "People can go missing from home for any of number of reasons. Our job is not to cast judgement but to work to find them and bring them home safely.
"My message to Richard is clear. Our only concern is your safety. You are not in trouble and have done nothing wrong. If you read or hear this message we would ask you to contact us, or someone you trust, to let us know you are safe. Your loved ones and many other people who you do not even know, are very concerned.
"I would also like to thank the public for their continued support in sharing our appeals, checking doorbell and dash cam footage and passing on any information. As our efforts to find Richard continue, the eyes and ears of ordinary members of the public will be essential tools in our search."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134.
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