The British FBI has joined the desperate search for a missing student nurse, whose sudden disappearance six weeks ago remains shrouded in mystery.
Owami Davies, 24, was last seen on July 7 walking towards Norbury on London Road in Croydon, south London, at noon.
In spite of rising worry for her welfare, she has not been seen since, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) has joined the missing persons investigation, combing through six claimed sightings of her.
Last night, a statement stated, ‘Specialists from the NCA’s Major Crime Investigative Support command are aiding the Metropolitan Police with this investigation.
Please contact them if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Owami Davies.
The Metropolitan Police Department further disclosed that she may have been observed in Croydon “in the days following she was last seen” and that she may still be “around the nearby region and in need of assistance.”
The police published CCTV footage of Owami wearing a dark jacket, red t-shirt, light grey sweatpants, and slider-style shoes on July 7. In addition, she wore a white handbag over her shoulder.
In an effort to confirm the sightings, officers have downloaded around 50,000 hours of CCTV footage and viewed 10,000 hours of video.
However, despite the case being treated as a missing person inquiry, the disappearance is being investigated by specialized criminal officers.
Throughout the inquiry, five people have been arrested and released pending further investigation.
Earlier this month, two men, aged 27 and 23, from Croydon were arrested on suspicion of murder.
Three further guys, aged 23, 27, and 32, were held on suspicion of kidnapping.
Owami was reportedly “very pleased” and had approximately two months left of her nursing program at Kings College.
Upon graduation, she will begin working at the Guy’s and St. Thomas’ health trust in London.
The student was interested in conducting research on diseases and had worked at A&E during the Covid epidemic.
On July 4, she vanished from her Grays home, where she lived with her mother and brothers.
In the early hours of July 7, Owami was spotted walking down Derby Road in West Croydon, more than 28 miles from her home.
Later that same day, at approximately 7:00 a.m., an unconfirmed sighting was reported to police in the vicinity of Clarendon Road.
The last verified sighting of Owami was approximately noon on July 7 along London Road in Croydon, heading in the direction of Norbury.
Since the CCTV footage from Croydon was revealed more than a month ago, no additional images or footage have been provided.
During the time of her disappearance, Owami has not contacted her family or reported to work.
Yesterday, Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, who is overseeing the investigation, stated, ‘The search for Owami Davies continues, and we are conducting searches, appeals, and comprehensive CCTV checks to trace and find her.
I would like to remind everyone that although though Specialized Crime detectives are investigating, this is still a missing person investigation.
We are certainly quite concerned for Owami’s welfare, and it is probable that she is in need of assistance in the surrounding region.
We have information that someone matching Owami’s description was spotted in the Croydon region in the days following her last CCTV sighting, and we truly hope to locate her safe and sound.
Mr. Penney has requested individuals to examine the photographs of the missing student to determine whether they recall seeing her in the neighborhood.
Previously, investigators requested the driver of a white van parked on Derby Road when Owami was last spotted to come forward.
She and a man crossed the street moments before the van’s departure.
And her mother, Nicol Davies, 46, has repeatedly made tearful pleas for assistance in locating her daughter.
“It is evident that someone out there has seen something, known something, or heard something,” she stated.
“I am pleading, I am requesting assistance from the public, from the people, to say if you know, if you have heard or seen her, or if she has passed you, please speak out.
All we truly want is to find her, and all we need is for her to return home or let us know where she is.
She said, ‘I sit here as a desperate mother pleading with anyone who knows or has heard anything to help me find my baby, that’s all I’m asking for, just help to find her.
If she is someplace and hears this, she should kindly return home. Her brothers and I miss her tremendously and require her presence.
We just want her to return home, and if she is listening, she should be aware that she is not in trouble.
Dave Stringer, chief superintendent of the south area command, informed the community that every effort is being made to locate the young woman.
He stated, “We are aware of the worry that our neighborhood is experiencing, and we have added patrolling personnel to comfort you.”
Please do not hesitate to discuss your issues with these officers; they are here to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
‘Finally, I would want to convey my gratitude to everyone who has assisted us in locating Owami and continues to do so.
We greatly value the wonderful support we’ve received from our community and our partners.
The Specialist Crime Command of the Metropolitan Police is leading the inquiry into her disappearance, with assistance from the National Crime Agency.
Five individuals arrested thus far in connection with the investigation have been released on bond.
Anyone with information can contact police at 020 8721 4622, or anonymously at 0800 555111 or via the Internet.