MEGHAN Markle’s pal Omid Scobie has shared an appeal for a teenager who vanished a week ago after telling his mum he was “struggling”.
The writer, who helped pen biography Finding Freedom about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said he “can’t imagine” what Richard Okorogheye’s family must be going through.
Richard, a student at Oxford Brookes University, was last seen walking in Kensington, West London, at around 8.40pm on March 22.
Yesterday his tearful mum sobbed saying “he’s my oxygen” as the desperate search continues.
Omid joined the appeal for information, tweeting: “I can’t imagine what his mother and family must be going through right now.
“If you know anything, call 101 and quote 21MIS008134.”
He is one of several celebs, including Peter Andre, Aisling Bea and Laura Whitmore, who have shared appeals to find the missing student.
Andre said: “Anyone with any information Plse help. Richard Okorogheye, 19 missing. Plse share this on your platforms. As a parent this kills me. Hope he’s found safe soon.”
Richard told his mum he was “struggling to cope” with lockdown and had been shielding due to his sickle cell disease – a condition which affects the red blood cells.
On the night he disappeared, Mum Evidence Joel returned home from a nursing shift at around 9pm and assumed her son was in his room.
It was only when she knocked on his door after cooking his favourite dinner that she realised something was wrong.
After a locksmith helped her gain entry to the bedroom, she found Richard missing with his wallet, bus pass and bank card left behind.
None of Richard’s friends saw him that night or any night since.
His mother now fears her son, who is in the first year of a business and IT degree, had become depressed during lockdown as he only left the house for regular blood transfusions at hospital.
She told Sky News: “All he said to me was ‘mummy, I’m going to see my friend’. I trusted him, I had no doubt or no reason to ask him further questions.
“It’s my baby, it’s my treasure. He’s my oxygen, he’s my crown. He’s everything to me, he’s the reason why I live, the reason I exist.
“Right now I’m empty, there is nothing to look forward to. He’s taken my breath away from me.”
Police say they are “working tirelessly” to locate Richard but are becoming increasingly concerned.
Chief Inspector Clare McCarthy of the Met’s Central West Command Unit said: “We are following every lead possible and are appealing for the public to help us in our work. If you may have seen Richard, please contact police.
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134 or visit charity Missing People.
