Owami Davies, a student nurse who had been missing for more than six weeks, has been found alive and well in Hampshire.
She was found on Tuesday (August 23) in the county to the west of London after someone who had seen the appeals over the past two months spotted her and alerted police.
Officers said Ms Davies appeared “fit and well cared for”, adding that they would be speaking to her about her welfare. Her family
Ms Davies, 24, had been studying at King’s College London and had a trainee job lined up at Guy’s and St Thomas’. Ms Davies’ family have spoken to her.
Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, Specialist Crime, said: “This is the outcome we were all hoping and praying for. My team have been working around the clock to find Owami and we are immensely relieved she has been found.
“I would like to sincerely thank the media and public for sharing appeals to find Owami. Your help in cases like this is crucial and we are very grateful. I’d like to also thank colleagues at Essex Police for their invaluable assistance during this investigation.
“I would now politely request that the privacy of Owami and her family are respected at this time.”
Police have been criticised for releasing an incorrect photo of Ms Davies in their search. They also came under fire after it emerged that officers had come across Ms Davies after she had been reported missing, but before she had been added to the missing persons database.
Commander Paul Brogden added: “We know there have been concerns raised around the search for Owami. We, alongside our colleagues in Essex Police, will be carrying out a review of all our actions from when Owami was first reported missing to ensure we have acted correctly and to identify any ways to improve our response to finding other missing people.”
Ms Davies, a trainee nurse, left her home in Essex on July 4, and was next seen in Croydon three days later.
The sighting in Hampshire, which took place at 10.30 in the morning on Tuesday, was the 118th time a sighting had been reported to police.
Five people had been arrested in connection with her disappearance, but had all been released as police continued to investigate.
Guys and St Thomas’ said: “We are delighted that our colleague Owami has been found and is safe. Thank you to everyone who helped to find her.”