Found Deceased UK - Lucas Opanuga, 21, caught a bus to go shopping in Enfield, 22 Feb 2022

[StillDiggin]

Continued appeal in the search for missing man Lucas Opanuga.

Police are increasingly concerned for the welfare of Lucas Opanuga who is missing from his home in Southgate.

Detectives looking for Lucas have released two CCTV images of him captured after he got off a route 121 bus on Brunswick Road, Enfield Island Village, at 16:45hrs on Tuesday, 22 February in the hope that it may jog someone’s memory.

Lucas, 21, was last seen by his family at around 16:00hrs on Tuesday, 22 February, when he caught a bus to go shopping in Enfield.

His mother and father, Larissa and Adetola, have appealed directly to their son. They said: “Wherever you are Lucas, we love you so much and we want you to be safe. Please contact us to let us know that you’re safe. We really want to help you and we miss you so much.”

Detective Sergeant Marc Robinson of the Met’s North Area Safeguarding team said:

“We are doing all that we can to find Lucas and to support his family.

“Lucas is a student at Portsmouth University, he returned home a few weeks ago and may be suffering with depression.

“Due to his vulnerability, we have been pursuing a number of active lines of enquiry, including extensive CCTV enquires, directed local enquiries in Enfield Island Village, regular checks with local hospitals and searches around Epping Forest and Enfield Island Village with air support from the police helicopter, but so far no trace of Lucas has been found. This work continues.

“Our concern continues to grow for his welfare. If you have seen Lucas since he went missing or know where he is please don’t hesitate to get in touch - there is a family desperately waiting for news that he is okay.”

Anyone who may have seen Lucas or has information on his whereabouts should call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote ref 7952/22FEB.

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[StillDiggin]

Theres lots of concern about Lucas and some press information.

Police are extremely concerned for the welfare of a young man who is missing from home in Southgate.

Lucas Opanuga, 21, was last seen by his family on Tuesday, 22 February, when he left the family home to go to shops in Enfield.

He is a First Class mechanical engineering student at Portsmouth University with dreams of becoming a Formula One race car driver. He returned home to London on 8 February.

Lucas’s mother and father, Larissa and Adetola, have appealed directly to their son. They said: “Wherever you are Lucas, we love you so much and we want you to be safe. Contact us to let us know that you’re safe. We really want to help you and we miss you so much.”

On the day he went missing, Lucas is thought to have caught a bus to Enfield, and subsequent police enquiries suggest he was in the EN9 postcode area on the evening of 22 February. Despite an extensive police investigation there has been no trace of him since.

DS Marc Robinson of the Met’s North Area Safeguarding team said: “We are doing all that we can to find Lucas and to support his family.

“On Saturday, 26 February, the police helicopter was used to assist officers in a search of Epping Forest, which is near to the EN9 area where we last have any trace of Lucas. These searches are ongoing today (Sunday).

“A number of other lines of inquiry are being followed-up as a priority. We are extremely concerned for Lucas’s welfare - if you may have seen him, please get in touch immediately.”

Lucas is described as a light skinned black man, 6ft 2ins tall and of slim build. When last seen he was wearing a yellow hooded top.
Police 'extremely concerned' for Lucas Opanuga, 21, missing from Southgate | ITV News

 

[martenwearer]

Local to me this one. Hopefully Lucas is found safe and well soon!

 

[martenwearer]

Second still CCTV picture released by the Met Police

Continued appeal in the search for missing man Lucas Opanuga

 

[martenwearer]

From the bus stop in Enfield, the closest shops he could have gone to are:

- Enfield island village
about a 5 minute walk from the bus stop. Tesco express, a small coffee shop, chinese, pharmacy, nursery, gym, doctors surgery, and a small cake shop. You would not travel from a far to use these shops as they are tiny and you probably wouldn’t use them unless you lived in the village.

- Pavilions shopping centre in Waltham cross.
This is a 45 min walk from Brunswick Road bus stop. Variety of different shops here but nothing really of interest for a 21 year old male. Postcode is EN8. A 491 bus to Waltham Cross stops at the bus stop too. I think he would have got onto this bus if he wanted to go here and it would have taken less than 20 mins.
Store list: Pavilions Shopping Centre | An incredible mixture of stores

- Highbridge retail park in Waltham abbey.
Home bargains, Poundland, tk maxx, McDonald’s, pets at home. It’s about a 40 minute walk from Brunswick Road bus stop. Postcode is EN9. Again, he could have taken the 491 bus to Waltham Cross bus station from Brunswick Road bus stop, and then walk from Waltham Cross bus station to Waltham Abbey Highbridge retail park. Probably about 20 mins on bus, 20 mins walk. Lucas could have got a second bus from Waltham Cross Bus Station to Waltham Abbey. This would be the 251, 66, 22, 212 or 13. However, these are not London buses. I reckon he headed here.

The route he would have taken from Brunswick Road in Enfield would most likely have been through the Gunpowder Park to head to Waltham Cross (EN8) or Waltham Abbey (EN9). The route is a massive park with quite a lot of water if you head off the main path. No street lights. I imagine would have been quite popular with dog walkers, joggers, cyclists as the weather on that day was pretty nice. He would also have had to walk under a M25 bridge.

 

[martenwearer]

“Lucas had been going to visit the large Currys PC World superstore in Southbury Road, Enfield, and spoke to his father on the phone at 4.21pm while on board the 121 bus outside Cineworld, next to the A10. He has not been seen since.”

So it seems he went shopping before arriving at Brunswick Road bus stop. Apologies, thought he was on his way to the shops from Brunswick Road bus stop.



Southgate dad in appeal to help find missing son

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Police previously appealed for information to help locate 21-year-old Lucas Opanuga who had been reported missing from Enfield on Tuesday, 22 February.

On Wednesday, 2 March, officers searching an area of woodland in Waltham Abbey found the body of a man.

Formal identification awaits but Lucas’s family have been updated with this development. They are being supported by specially trained officers.

Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.

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[StillDiggin]

So sad, RIP Lucas.

 

[Britpop]

Been following this as it's local. So sad. RIP.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The body of a man has been found by police in their search for a missing man. Officers were looking in an area of woodland for 21-year-old Lucas Opanuga when they came across the body yesterday (March 2).

Lucas has been reported missing from his home in Southgate, Enfield, for nine days. He was last seen by his family at around 4pm on February 22 when he caught a bus to go shopping elsewhere in Enfield.

The Met Police has previously said they are “increasingly concerned” for the young man’s welfare, adding that he may be suffering from depression. The force launched an urgent appeal to the public for their help in locating the 21-year-old and had been conducting an extensive search, including police helicopter searches, "due to his vulnerability".


Body of missing student, 21, found in woodland after 9 days

 

[LemonMint]

University of Portsmouth offers support after police find body searching for missing student