POLICE searching for missing 19-year-old student Richard Okorogheye have said a body has been found in Epping Forest.

On Monday, the Metropolitan Police said they were informed by Essex Police that the body of a man was found in a pond in the woodland.

Inquiries are under way to identify the body.

Richard Okorogheye’s mother has now reportedly been told that the body  matches his description.

Scotland Yard added that detectives investigating Mr Okorogheye’s disappearance are aware and his family are being supported by specially trained officers.

Inquiries continue and officers remain at the scene for the fifth day.

Mr Okorogheye, who has sickle cell disease, left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of March 22, and was reported missing two days later.

He was last seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, in the early hours of Tuesday March 23, walking towards Epping Forest.

Police divers had previously been seen in a body of water in the woodland.