Detectives investigating the disappearance of Owami Davies, who was last seen in West Croydon on 7 July, have made a further arrest.
A 22-year-old man [D] was arrested by officers at an address in Croydon on the evening of Wednesday, 3 August on suspicion of murder; he remains in custody. Three other men who were previously arrested on suspicion of murder as part of this investigation – [A] aged 27; [B] aged 23 and [C] aged 32 – all remain in custody. Warrants for further detention have been obtained in relation to all three.
Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command leads the investigation and said: “While a further arrest has been made, this remains a missing person investigation and our priority is, and has always been, finding Owami.
“I would continue to appeal to anyone who has information about Owami’s whereabouts to please get in contact with my team. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, then you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers – they will not ask for your identity and will not trace your call.”
Owami from Grays, in Essex, left her family home on Monday, 4 July and was last seen at 00:03hrs in Derby Road, West Croydon, on Thursday, 7 July. Owami’s family are being kept updated about the progress of the investigation. Detectives are also continuing to appeal for the driver of a white van that was parked in Derby Road at the time Owami was last seen.
Owami was in the company of a man and crossed the road just as the van pulled out. The van driver would have had a good opportunity to see them both clearly and officers are appealing this possible witness to come forward.
DCI Penney added: “We are working hard to find Owami but we really do need the public’s help – 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 and tell us what they know. 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 mother Nicol Davies 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. Pease leave a message if you can to let us know you are okay, we are so very worried about you.
“This is such a terrible time for all those who love Owami and I am pleading for anyone who can help find her to contact police. Every day we hope to hear the news that Owami is coming back to us, your help might make it so.”
