Owami Davies’ family has said they are “forever grateful” to people who helped find the student nurse who was missing for almost seven weeks.

Davies was found in Hampshire on 23 August as a result of a call to police from someone who had seen media appeals.

In a Twitter post, Davies’ family shared their relief, writing: “Good evening everyone, Owami Davies has been found. Found alive and safe. We spoke to her.

“We the Davies family would like to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you wherever you are, whoever you are. Thank you for your well wishes, love, hugs, and thoughts. Together we searched far & beyond. We are forever grateful.”

In a statement shared by the Met, detective chief inspector Nigel Penney, specialist crime, said: “This is the outcome we were all hoping and praying for. My team have been working around the clock to find Owami and we are immensely relieved she has been found.

“I would like to sincerely thank the media and public for sharing appeals to find Owami. Your help in cases like this is crucial and we are very grateful. I’d like to also thank colleagues at Essex Police for their invaluable assistance during this investigation.

“I would now politely request that the privacy of Owami and her family are respected at this time.”

Commander Paul Brogden added: “We know there have been concerns raised around the search for Owami. We, alongside our colleagues in Essex Police, will be carrying out a review of all our actions from when Owami was first reported missing to ensure we have acted correctly and to identify any ways to improve our response to finding other missing people.”

The 24-year-old was last seen on CCTV on Derby Road, west Croydon just after midnight on Thursday 7 July after leaving her family home in Grays, Essex on Monday 4 July.

Her family reported her missing to Essex Police on 6 July, after which the investigation was handed over to the Metropolitan Police on 23 July.

However, the Met later confirmed that officers from the force spoke to Davies on 6 July, after they were called to an address in Croydon to concerns over the welfare of a woman. In a statement, the force confirmed that officers attended the address and called the London Ambulance Service, but the woman told them she did not want help and left.

Davies had not been marked as a missing person on the police database at that point. The force says it only later established the link during the course of its investigation.

As a result, the Metropolitan police said its professional standards body had been consulted and was not investigating the officers. However, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) requested that the matter be referred to them.

In a statement, the IOPC said: “We can confirm that we received a referral on August 5 from the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to contact officers had with Owami Davies in Croydon on July 6, after she had been reported missing to Essex Police. We are currently assessing the available information to determine what further action may be required.” 

Scotland Yard also released a statement. “The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) were consulted and as there has been contact with police the IOPC were informed. The IOPC has requested the matter be referred to them. The officers are not subject to any current investigation by the DPS.

“The interaction recorded on the officers’ body-worn video has been viewed by members of the Independent Advisory Group and Owami’s family to ensure openness and transparency.”

Image: Met Police