Found Safe UK - Owami Davies, 24, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, last seen in Croydon, Surrey, 6 Jul 2022

[Dotta]

You'd be surprised what information one can get from homeless people. It's all about the way it's done....I know first hand!

I was taught to believe and trust Police, so... OK
Maybe you are right

Time will tell.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

but met whomever she is trying to escape from.

I'm not aware of any information that OD was trying to escape from anyone?

It's fair to say that OD left home under unexpected circumstances on 4th July and re-appeared in Croydon three days later, on 7th July. There has been some CCTV footage released, most recently on 7th July at approximately 12:30 hours on London Road near to Oakfield Road, when OD is seen walking north toward the hospital.

We don't know if OD was making her way to the hospital. OD looked vulnerable in a 'not completely aware of her surroundings' kind of way and she was unsteady on her feet. She did not look fearful.

There are so many roads and alleyways that OD could have gone down, which run off London Road, even before the hospital.

We just don't know at the moment. It's often best to work with the facts we have, even though they are limited.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

I was taught to believe and trust Police, so... OK
Maybe you are right

Time will tell.

My point was that some police officers have a role in building relationships with people who you would not expect to talk to police.

Some officers will have built a degree of trust with the local homeless people and they may have been approached to see if they can help.

All I'll say is that you would be very surprised. Don't believe in the old cliche's that criminals or the homeless don't talk to police.....

 

[martinwatts5]

The chances of OD still moving around the same area are pretty much zero. The chance of her surviving on her own after this amount of time is also low even if she is in a different area. As mentioned it leaves the possibility of somebody giving her food/drink.

 

[abc_sleuth]

I'm not aware of any information that OD was trying to escape from anyone?

The Police have arrested 5 men on suspicion of murder and kidnapping, therefore the assumption was made that she came in contact (on purpose or otherwise) with someone who would make her feel unsafe. I think likely if this is the case, she probably did try and 'escape' someone on some level. Although yes, as you said, we don't have enough information yet to confirm this.

 

[Dotta]

The chance of her surviving on her own after this amount of time is also low even if she is in a different area. As mentioned it leaves the possibility of somebody giving her food/drink.

The chances of survival on her own?

- It is summer and hundreds of homeless people sleep in parks, streets, etc.

- Even if she didn't take much cash (which I doubt), she can live simply on breadrolls - the cheapest food for a few pence - for months. Bottled water is also cheap, tap water can be found easily.
Homeless ppl often raid supermarkets' backyards for out of date thrown away food - still edible.

- I'm not surprised that she wasn't spotted by many ppl.
People usually mind their own business hurrying their way.
Especially if she changes places all the time.

I rarely remember persons I pass by in the street.

I really hope she will be found alive and given help for whatever problem/s she suffers from.

MOO

 

[JuicyLucy]

I agree. There are lots of places in Croydon where she could get a meal and a change of clothes, many of them clustered in the particular area where she's been seen.

Drop-in centres

Croydon Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

Simply Connect Croydon - Friday - Free hot meal for the homeless and vulnerable adults (HN)

WHERE TO GET HELP | St Michael's Croydon

If she is still in the area, or if she stayed there for a while, it really intensifies for me the question of - why Croydon? It's a bizarre choice if it was random. If it wasn't then there must be something or someone she was heading for or thought she might find there. In my opinion, that's more likely to be a person than a thing because, with the best will in the world, West Croydon isn't really a place that offers opportunities.

For me, that keeps coming back to: boyfriend, girlfriend, long-lost family member or online contact. I don't feel we know enough about her to guess which, if any, of those is plausible. If she's on the streets, then that supposes she didn't make contact with whoever she was looking for, or whatever contact she made didn't work out the way she hoped, or something traumatising or destabilising happened in the meantime.

My personal opinion is that the arrests turned out to be mistaken, perhaps based on proximity or a casual encounter with Owami that was caught on cctv but in reality was insignificant. I'm ready to eat my words though.

All JMO/speculation, for the avoidance of doubt.

 

[LarysaRose]

I honestly find it hard to believe that she is likely to be sleeping rough etc. I notice that homeless women here are normally with a man. I can’t imagine how unsafe it would be for a young woman on their own to be on the streets, especially in that part of Croydon. This is just my own opinion.

She must have had a connection to someone to want to come here, surely?

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

I honestly find it hard to believe that she is likely to be sleeping rough etc. I notice that homeless women here are normally with a man. I can’t imagine how unsafe it would be for a young woman on their own to be on the streets, especially in that part of Croydon. This is just my own opinion.

She must have had a connection to someone to want to come here, surely?

I agree. She came there for a reason. To meet someone, to collect something, to do a specific deed, or similar.

I don't buy any connection with hospitals just because she is a student nurse. Neither that she is going round homeless shelters.

The answer lays in why she was there, why and how she might have known or had connection with the arrested, and whether she had mental health issues before and has had some kind of breakdown, then I could see her acting irrationally and out of character.

 

[martinwatts5]

The chances of survival on her own?

- It is summer and hundreds of homeless people sleep in parks, streets, etc.

- Even if she didn't take much cash (which I doubt), she can live simply on breadrolls - the cheapest food for a few pence - for months. Bottled water is also cheap, tap water can be found easily.
Homeless ppl often raid supermarkets' backyards for out of date thrown away food - still edible.

- I'm not surprised that she wasn't spotted by many ppl.
People usually mind their own business hurrying their way.
Especially if she changes places all the time.

I rarely remember persons I pass by in the street.

I really hope she will be found alive and given help for whatever problem/s she suffers from.

MOO

Yes of course she could survive on her own for a length of time as many homeless do but to do so in the local area without being spotted is unlikely. She could have travelled away from the area on her own but again I think there would be sightings. The lack of sightings leaves me with the thought that she is not moving around.

 

[JuicyLucy]

Yes of course she could survive on her own for a length of time as many homeless do but to do so in the local area without being spotted is unlikely. She could have travelled away from the area on her own but again I think there would be sightings. The lack of sightings leaves me with the thought that she is not moving around.

I think if she's changing clothes regularly she could slip under the radar pretty easily though, even if she's moving around in plain sight. She no longer looks striking and beautifully groomed. We all commented on how different from normal she looked in the early Croydon images (the shop and Clarendon Road) and different again when the London Road cctv emerged. The police emphasised then what they called her 'distinctive' red top, not her face. If people are looking out for that it's no good if she's changed clothes again, and since that was a month ago she almost certainly has.

The fact that she's Black will also make her more invisible imo, partly because of social prejudices that make certain groups of less interest, but also because of own-race bias, which makes it harder to remember unfamilar faces of ethnicities other than your own. Croydon is more ethnically mixed than most places - around 50% BAME - but a lot of those people are of Indian or Tamil origin (among others), so they're still ethnically different from Owami. I've seen a lot of pictures of her now, and I like to think I would recognise her in the flesh, but honestly I'm not 100% sure. Even facial recognition software performs badly with Black subjects, particularly women.

The Own-Race Bias for Face Recognition in a Multiracial Society

Croydon Observatory – Population

Facial recognition fails on race, government study says

 

[Dotta]

I think if she's changing clothes regularly she could slip under the radar pretty easily though, even if she's moving around in plain sight. She no longer looks striking and beautifully groomed. We all commented on how different from normal she looked in the early Croydon images (the shop and Clarendon Road) and different again when the London Road cctv emerged. The police emphasised then what they called her 'distinctive' red top, not her face. If people are looking out for that it's no good if she's changed clothes again, and since that was a month ago she almost certainly has.

The fact that she's Black will also make her more invisible imo, partly because of social prejudices that make certain groups of less interest, but also because of own-race bias, which makes it harder to remember unfamilar faces of ethnicities other than your own. Croydon is more ethnically mixed than most places - around 50% BAME - but a lot of those people are of Indian or Tamil origin (among others), so they're still ethnically different from Owami. I've seen a lot of pictures of her now, and I like to think I would recognise her in the flesh, but honestly I'm not 100% sure. Even facial recognition software performs badly with Black subjects, particularly women.

The Own-Race Bias for Face Recognition in a Multiracial Society

Croydon Observatory – Population

Facial recognition fails on race, government study says

When a person of one race looks at faces of ppl of another race, these faces seem almost identical.

I once read about American film where there was a scene with Asian baby - as "actor" baby was restless so the director decided to change the baby in the arms of the leading actress.
The scene was long and there were 3 babies as the director thought nobody would be any wiser (they seemed to look identical).

When the film premiered in Asia the audience was crying with laughter!

Sorry, I don't remember the title of the film.
MOO

 

[proclee]

There were articles & “quotes” from neighbours of the man who’s house was searched when he was arrested, I have been looking for them for a few days and interestingly the specific ones with the quotes from a female neighbour including pictures have all been removed. The comments made by a neighbour did give justification for arrests / Owami being in Croydon. Although I’m unsure if they’ve been removed due to the person being released on bail or because the comments were unfounded.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Cash only lasts so long. Using her cash card to take out more will ping the system.

You'd be surprised what information one can get from homeless people. It's all about the way it's done....I know first hand!

*So do I. So do I. Unfortunately... tips from the homeless led me to my brother’s body in the woods after 3 months missing. It’s all in the approach.


In a statement, the Met Police said: ‘Owami has been depressed and in the absence of her medication may use alcohol to relieve her depression.’

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘The search to find Owami Davies continues and we are conducting searches, appeals and extensive CCTV inquiries in order to trace and find her.

‘I would remind people that even though detectives from specialist crime are investigating, this remains a missing person inquiry.’

Missing nurse could be taking trains and appearing 'dazed or confused'

Owami Davies, 24, was last seen walking north along London Road in Croydon at about 12.30pm on July 7.

metro.co.uk

The force said she may appear dazed or confused and be seeking to engage with women travelling alone.

It tweeted: “We know Owami Davies, 24, regularly uses the rail and tube network to travel from #Grays, Essex to the #Croydon area.

"Often via #WestHam and #WestCroydon stations. @metpoliceuk are looking at dates from 7th July 2022 onwards.

“Owami may still be regularly travelling by rail in a vulnerable state, appearing dazed or confused and possibly seeking to engage with other lone female travellers,” BTP added.

Missing Owami Davies 'could be taking trains appearing dazed or confused'

A nurse who vanished in south London more than a month ago could still be travelling regularly by train, appearing dazed or confused, police said.

www.thisislocallondon.co.uk

 

[Alyce]

There were articles & “quotes” from neighbours of the man who’s house was searched when he was arrested, I have been looking for them for a few days and interestingly the specific ones with the quotes from a female neighbour including pictures have all been removed. The comments made by a neighbour did give justification for arrests / Owami being in Croydon. Although I’m unsure if they’ve been removed due to the person being released on bail or because the comments were unfounded.

quotes from neighbour here

Exclusive: Police ‘dismantled mattress’ in 3am raid for missing student Owami Davies

Student nurse Owami Davies has been missing for almost a month, and police have arrested three people on suspicion of murder in connection with her disappearance.

www.londonworld.com

 

[Whitehall 1212]

*So do I. So do I. Unfortunately... tips from the homeless led me to my brother’s body in the woods after 3 months missing. It’s all in the approach.


In a statement, the Met Police said: ‘Owami has been depressed and in the absence of her medication may use alcohol to relieve her depression.’

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘The search to find Owami Davies continues and we are conducting searches, appeals and extensive CCTV inquiries in order to trace and find her.

‘I would remind people that even though detectives from specialist crime are investigating, this remains a missing person inquiry.’

Missing nurse could be taking trains and appearing 'dazed or confused'

Owami Davies, 24, was last seen walking north along London Road in Croydon at about 12.30pm on July 7.

metro.co.uk

View attachment 360348
The force said she may appear dazed or confused and be seeking to engage with women travelling alone.

It tweeted: “We know Owami Davies, 24, regularly uses the rail and tube network to travel from #Grays, Essex to the #Croydon area.

"Often via #WestHam and #WestCroydon stations. @metpoliceuk are looking at dates from 7th July 2022 onwards.

“Owami may still be regularly travelling by rail in a vulnerable state, appearing dazed or confused and possibly seeking to engage with other lone female travellers,” BTP added.

Missing Owami Davies 'could be taking trains appearing dazed or confused'

A nurse who vanished in south London more than a month ago could still be travelling regularly by train, appearing dazed or confused, police said.

www.thisislocallondon.co.uk

Hi @imstilla.grandma,

I'm sorry to hear of your sad and no doubt distressing experience. I do hope things are good for you now.

This is the first confirmation I have heard from police of OD's mental struggles.

If she has been prescribed medication then she has some kind of diagnosis and hopefully will at some point will realise that she can seek help.

She may be fearful of being sectioned or the impact this episode may have on her nursing career, hence why she is avoiding help and possibly self-medicating with alcohol or other substances.

I do hope that in some way she realises that she can seek the help she obviously needs. Everything else is secondary and those matters can be resolved once she is well again.

 

[abc_sleuth]

*So do I. So do I. Unfortunately... tips from the homeless led me to my brother’s body in the woods after 3 months missing. It’s all in the approach.


In a statement, the Met Police said: ‘Owami has been depressed and in the absence of her medication may use alcohol to relieve her depression.’

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘The search to find Owami Davies continues and we are conducting searches, appeals and extensive CCTV inquiries in order to trace and find her.

‘I would remind people that even though detectives from specialist crime are investigating, this remains a missing person inquiry.’

Missing nurse could be taking trains and appearing 'dazed or confused'

Owami Davies, 24, was last seen walking north along London Road in Croydon at about 12.30pm on July 7.

metro.co.uk

View attachment 360348
The force said she may appear dazed or confused and be seeking to engage with women travelling alone.

It tweeted: “We know Owami Davies, 24, regularly uses the rail and tube network to travel from #Grays, Essex to the #Croydon area.

"Often via #WestHam and #WestCroydon stations. @metpoliceuk are looking at dates from 7th July 2022 onwards.

“Owami may still be regularly travelling by rail in a vulnerable state, appearing dazed or confused and possibly seeking to engage with other lone female travellers,” BTP added.

Missing Owami Davies 'could be taking trains appearing dazed or confused'

A nurse who vanished in south London more than a month ago could still be travelling regularly by train, appearing dazed or confused, police said.

www.thisislocallondon.co.uk

Wow, I'm super sorry to hear about your brother, and devastated that you had to find him that way. I can't even fathom that, so thank you for behalf of the community for sharing your story.

I hadn't seen this news article, it gives a lot of context to Owami, such as why she is vulnerable. I'm also a little confused, as here Met Police states she travelled between West Ham and West Croydon often, whereas her mum said publically that she wasn't aware she even knew anyone in Croydon (implying she hasn't been there either). I imagine there is a lot of colourful information missing which could help the public with the whereabouts of OD.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

quotes from neighbour here

Exclusive: Police ‘dismantled mattress’ in 3am raid for missing student Owami Davies

Student nurse Owami Davies has been missing for almost a month, and police have arrested three people on suspicion of murder in connection with her disappearance.

www.londonworld.com

It's ever so easy for some to read such reports and build a picture in their head of what may have happened. I can understand this response, but police have to act on information when someone is believed to be at risk, whether that is from themselves or others.....police will take no chances and would rather act and be wrong than not act and someone come to harm.

I think the reality will be very different and that will become apparent in the fullness of time.

The police continue to stress that this is a "Missing Person Enquiry".

That is the key here.....not that OD has been abducted.....that OD is a vulnerable missing person, who needs to be found for her own well-being.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Detective chief inspector Nigel Penney, who is leading the investigation said it is "one of the biggest investigations" he has ever experienced, adding "and that reflects our determination to find Owami for her family".

The nurse student is studying at King’s College London. The university say they are "deeply concerned" about her disappearance. Ms Davies’ mum Nicol Davies also released an emotional plea to her daughter.

She said: “There are many friends and family who love and care for Owami and all of them want to see her safe return. Owami, if you see this appeal please believe you are not in any trouble, we just want you to come back to us. Please leave a message if you can to let us know you are okay, we are so very worried about you”.

Police believe Owami Davies may still be travelling around London by train

Owami Davies, a student nurse, was last seen in Croydon six weeks ago

www.mylondon.news

 

[JuicyLucy]

This is bizarre. In the space of a couple of hours, the entire narrative has changed.

I can believe that her travel history has only come to light recently, but her medical history accounts for the 'vulnerable' label and was probably known from the outset.

Why was she described as happy and having no problems?

Why was the search for her not prioritised more highly, first by Essex Police and then by the Met?

Has nothing been learned from Richard Okorogheye's death?