Police are currently investigating the case of a psychologist who went missing after boarding a bus and later potentially taking a boat from an Essex boatyard. Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto, 30, disappeared on March 3 after meeting a friend at Essex University in Colchester and has not been in touch with her loved ones since. She was reported missing the next day.
According to authorities, Vitoria made a bus journey from Wivenhoe to Brightlingsea on March 3. CCTV footage later showed a person resembling Ms. Barreto jumping over a fence into a boatyard just after midnight on March 4. Essex Police confirmed that a boat was taken from its mooring in Brightlingsea on the same day and later found adrift near Bradwell-on-Sea.
The discovery of Vitoria’s white shoulder bag near where the boat was found has intensified the focus of the investigation. Concerns are high regarding her disappearance, especially since she was in the UK to explore the possibility of starting a doctorate and was engaged in research and academic activities at the University of Essex.
Detective Superintendent Anna Granger mentioned that extensive searches have been conducted in significant areas of land and coastline, with further search operations planned. Vitoria’s friend, Liliane Silva, expressed deep concern over her disappearance, emphasizing Vitoria’s out-of-character behavior before vanishing.
Family members, including Vitoria’s boyfriend and mother, have joined the search efforts. Police have urged anyone with relevant information to contact them promptly.