Richard Okorogheye: ‘On daily basis is torment,’ says mum a 12 months after scholar’s physique was present in woods

The mom of a young person discovered lifeless within the woods says his heartbreaking loss continues to torment her a 12 months on.

Richard Okorogheye, 19, was found in Epping Forest on 5 April 2021 after going lacking from his house in west London for over every week.

An intense police search discovered that the scholar, who was mentioned to be struggling to deal with shielding through the pandemic, travelled virtually 30 miles away to the Essex space the place he was later present in a pond within the woodland.

“Richard left a giant gap and life has by no means been the identical,” Richard’s mom Proof Joel advised The Impartial.

“Typically I think about he’s travelled and he’ll come again but it surely’s a 12 months now and that appears unattainable.

“Every day to me is torment, I’m nonetheless ready for him to knock on the door and say mummy.”

Since he was discovered, a police investigation has been launched into the Met’s dealing with of Richard’s disappearance after Ms Joel claimed officers initially didn’t take his disappearance critically and allegedly advised her “When you can’t discover your son, how can we?”

An investigation can be ongoing into Richard’s explanation for dying which is but to established, nonetheless following his identification, the Metropolitan Police claimed that no proof of assault or bodily trauma has been discovered.

Ms Joel mentioned the previous few days for the reason that 22 March – when Richard went lacking a 12 months in the past – have been a rollercoaster for the household and even tougher as they proceed to attend to search out out what occurred to the college scholar who suffered from genetic blood dysfunction, sickle cell.

“I don’t know if my life would be the identical once more, I don’t know if I’ll be a standard particular person. When he left he took a part of me with him, a part of me left. He’s my solely baby – I simply couldn’t think about life with out my son.”

Ms Joel added that she’s stored Richard’s room the identical and typically asks him if she will be able to are available.

“The sensation won’t ever go away . he’ll at all times be my child, my little boy.

“He was my finest buddy, he might have a look at me in his face and know what’s improper with mummy. I miss his type phrases, I miss him when he says ‘mummy I like you, mummy have you ever eaten?’ The love that has no stain, it’s real,” Ms Joel mentioned.

Since his dying, Richard’s household has launched the Richard Okorogheye Basis elevating consciousness of sickle cell and in addition encouraging individuals to provide blood in reminiscence of Richard.

Ms Joel mentioned she was overjoyed by the individuals coming ahead to provide blood in reminiscence of Richard and hopes to proceed campaigning for the genetic dysfunction which prevalent in African and Caribbean individuals.