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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent

Owami Davies: timeline from nurse’s disappearance to being found

CCTV image of Owami Davies
CCTV image of Owami Davies walking north on London Road, Croydon, at about 12.30pm on Thursday 7 July. Photograph: Metropolitan police/PA

Monday 4 July

Owami Davies, 24, leaves her family home in Grays, Essex.

Wednesday 6 July

She is reported as missing to Essex police.

Wednesday 6 July, approximately 11pm

Met officers spot her in Clarendon Road, Croydon. She turns down the offer of an ambulance, amid concern for her welfare. Officers do not know who she is, nor that she is missing.

Thursday 7 July

The last known sighting, caught on CCTV, shows Davies in a dark jacket, red T-shirt, light grey joggers and slider-type shoes, carrying a white handbag over her shoulder. She is walking north on London Road, Croydon, away from West Croydon and towards Norbury. She is seen in the company of a man.

Wednesday 13 July

The Met realises the woman it came across the week before was Davies.

Saturday 23 July

The case transfers from Essex police to the Met.

Sunday 31 July

Scotland Yard urges people in West Croydon to “check their sheds and outbuildings” for signs of disturbance in the hope of trying to find her.

Monday 1 August

The first of a series of arrests is made. In total, five people are arrested: three on suspicion of kidnap, and two for murder. All have been bailed.

Tuesday 16 August

The Met releases a statement saying Davies could still be “in the local area and in need of help”.

Thursday 18 August

British Transport Police say Davies could still be frequently travelling by train around London, appearing dazed and confused.

Saturday 20 August

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, announces it is considering an investigation into Scotland Yard.

Monday 22 August

Detectives say Davies could be rough sleeping and that they are investigating 117 reported sightings across the UK. DCI Nigel Penney says: “There is no evidence that she’s come to harm. We’re still hopeful that we’ll find her alive and well.”

Tuesday 23 August

Davies is found “safe and well” in Hampshire and “not currently in [a] vulnerable state”, police say.

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