Owami Davies: Prayer service for ‘safe return’ of missing nursing student held at King’s College

A prayer service has been held for missing student nurse Owami Davies by her university.

The 24-year-old, who vanished in south London six weeks ago, is studying nursing at King’s College London.

Owami left her home in Greys, Essex, on July 4 and was last seen in a CCTV video in west Croydon three days later, walking north on London Road, towards Norbury.

She was wearing a dark jacket, a red Adidas T-shirt, light grey jogging bottoms, slider type shoes and carrying a white handbag over her shoulder.

Police are continuing to search for her and have trawled through 50,000 hours of footage.

Officers warned she may be travelling regularly by train, and appearing dazed or confused.

Chaplains at King’s College London (KCL) and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust held a service to pray for her safe and swift return.

A tweet from KCL said: “The chaplaincies of King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust held a service to pray for the safe and swift return of nursing student Owami Davies.

“If you have any information about Owami’s disappearance, please contact the police or Crimestoppers.”

And in a statement, Ms Davies’ university said: “We are deeply concerned about the disappearance of King’s nursing student Owami Davies.

“Owami is a valued member of the King’s community and we continue to hope for her swift and safe return.

“We are keeping Owami, her family, and her friends in our thoughts during this difficult time.”

They added: “This is a very difficult time for us all, not least for those who worked and studied closely with Owami.”

Students at KCL have been made aware of support services including counselling, wellbeing advice, peer support, employee assistance and the chaplaincy.

Five people have been arrested - two on suspicion of murder and three on suspicion of kidnap - and have been released on bail, pending further investigation.

Ms Davies was nearing the end of her studies and had secured a job with Guy’s and St Thomas’ health trust.

She had worked in A&E during the Covid-19 pandemic and was interested in doing research on diseases.

Police say Ms Davies was seen in a shop in West Croydon shortly before she went missing, and that the search for her remains a missing person investigation.

DCI Nigel Penney, who is leading the investigation, said: “The search to find Owami Davies continues and we are conducting searches, appeals and extensive CCTV enquiries in order to trace and find her.

“We are obviously very concerned for the welfare of Owami and it is possible she is in the local area and in need of help.

“We have reports of someone of Owami’s description being seen in the Croydon area in the days after she was last seen on CCTV and we sincerely hope to find her safe and well.”

He added: “I would also appeal to anyone who may be helping Owami, or Owami if you see this message, please be assured you are not in any trouble at all.

“We are only concerned for your welfare and want to make sure you are okay.

“You can contact us, or a charity like Missing People on 116 000 and just speak to let us know that you are okay.

“Owami, your family love you and are desperate for news, they would be overjoyed to hear you are safe.

“I would urge people to look at the photos of Owami and contact us if they have seen her or remember seeing her in the area.

“We have had outstanding support from the community, partners and businesses and we appreciate everyone who has contacted us or helped publicise the search for Owami.

“Please continue to help by calling the police if you have any information.

“Your call could be the vital information that helps us find Owami safe and well.”

Dave Stringer, from the Met south area, said: “I can assure our community that all we can do to find Owami is being done.

“We are working closely with our colleagues in specialist crime, who are used to dealing with large, complex investigations and we are providing them all the assistance we can in this extensive inquiry.

“Everyone, I am sure, is hoping that Owami is safe and well and this nightmare for her friends and family will finally end.

"We understand the real anxiety that is currently felt in our community and we have additional officers patrolling to reassure you.

“Please do take the opportunity to speak to these officers about your concerns, they are there to help you and answer any questions you may have.

The MPS has also sought the support of the National Crime Agency (NCA) to draw on their specialists capabilities – from within the major crime investigative support command.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4622 where detectives are waiting to speak to you. Information provided will be handled sensitively and anyone who comes forward to assist officers will be given every support.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers. They are separate from the police, they do not trace calls or monitor IP addresses. To contact them, either call 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org