Police authorities have provided updates on the ongoing search for a Brazilian psychologist who went missing while visiting the University of Essex. Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto, aged 30, disappeared over three weeks ago after losing contact with her family on March 3. Law enforcement reported her missing on March 4 and disclosed that she took a half-hour bus trip from Wivenhoe to Brightlingsea on the same day. Despite extensive searches in significant land and coastal areas, she remains unlocated.
Barreto was last seen in a dark coat, blue turtleneck jumper, light blue jeans, and black trainers. CCTV footage captured her boarding the 87 bus in Wivenhoe and disembarking in Brightlingsea. She appeared to be alone during the journey, and the reason for her visit to the coastal town remains unclear.
Essex Police revealed footage showing a person, likely Barreto, jumping over a fence into a boat yard. Authorities suspect she may have taken a boat from a pontoon in the early hours of March 4. However, conclusive evidence linking the individual in the footage to Barreto is still lacking.
In a recent update, law enforcement expanded their CCTV search in Brightlingsea between March 3 and March 4, identifying a potential sighting of Barreto in the area. Efforts to access Barreto’s phone and banking records are ongoing to aid the investigation, with international cooperation from her family and the Brazilian Embassy.
A laptop believed to belong to Barreto was discovered in Brightlingsea, while a bag owned by her was found near Copperas Road. Concerns have been raised by a friend speculating that Barreto might have fallen victim to human trafficking, citing the emergency mode activation on her phone signaling towards the sea. Searches are being advised at sea, and the possibility of involvement of other European countries in the investigation has been suggested.
