The distraught mother of missing student nurse Owami Davies spoke of her pain as police arrested a fourth man on suspicion of murder.
Nicol Davies, 46, broke down as she spoke about her 24-year-old daughter who vanished four weeks ago. She said: “I wouldn’t like to think of anyone causing her harm. Owami’s a lovely girl. She hates arguments and doesn’t hold grudges.
“This is a desperate plea from a desperate mother: somebody, somewhere knows, saw or heard something. Speak to the police — you don’t even have to say who you are.”
A fourth suspect, a 22-year-old man, was detained in Croydon on Wednesday night. Three males aged 23, 27 and 32 arrested earlier this week in the same area also remain in custody as police were granted extra time to question them.
Ms Davies left her family home in Chafford Hundred, near Grays in Essex, on July 4, saying she was going to the gym. However she was last seen on CCTV 29 miles away at a shop in Derby Road, West Croydon, at 12.03am on July 7.
Police have sealed off a nearby property which is being searched by forensic officers.
Two gazebo tents have been erected to the side of the building and the window in the front door smashed. A neighbour said he had seen a “woman and a young guy” living there.
Detectives want to speak to the driver of a white van that was parked in Derby Road, saying Ms Davies was with a man and crossed the road as it pulled out.
They say the van driver would have had a good opportunity to see them both clearly and are appealing for this possible witness to come forward.
Mrs Davies said her daughter had about two months left of her studies, having recently secured a job with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital.
The student “loved what she was doing” working in A&E during the pandemic and was interested in doing research on diseases.
Mrs Davies added Owami’s disappearance was out of character. She had tickets to last month’s Wireless Festival still at home and the family planned holidays to Spain and Disneyland Paris in January.
Ms Davies missed parties for her 11-year-old brother and another sibling, 15. Her mother, who works for the Department for Work and Pensions, said news of the arrests “hurt”.
“I’m hoping for answers that will lead us to finding Owami.
“She said she was going to the gym, so I went to do the school run for her youngest brother while Owami took a shower. Within 20 minutes I was back.
“Later when I became concerned, I used the Find My iPhone app which is something I do with all of them. I was curious where she was and she wasn’t at the gym.
“I’ve never known her to know anyone in Croydon. She’s an Essex girl. She likes hanging out in Romford. She doesn’t have many friends, just one best friend.
“My message to her is, ‘Come home, you are not in trouble with anyone. This has gone on too long.’
“She’s never been away from home longer than three days. We miss her. She loves her brothers. She loves me. As much as we love her.”
Scotland Yard said although the case remains a missing person enquiry, officers from Specialist Crime Command are now leading as they have the resources and expertise required for complex investigations.
Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, said: “We are working hard to find Owami but we really do need the public’s help.
“Owami is very vulnerable and the longer she is missing the more we worry that she has come to harm.
“As a result of extensive CCTV enquiries we have a clearer idea of Owami’s movements, but we still need the public to contact us.
“We would obviously like to speak to the driver of the white van that passed Owami in Derby Road, but anyone with information should call.
“Owami’s family are living through a nightmare and are desperate for news.
“I would ask anyone who thinks they can help to come forward — as the days pass the anxiety of Owami’s family will only get worse and your call could be the one they are praying for.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0208 721 4622 and 101, quoting reference 22MIS025307, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
