THE heart-broken family of missing woman Vitória Barreto are urging people with information to come forward, six months after her disappearance.
Vitória arrived in the UK on March 1. and began staying at the home of a university lecturer in Southend, who was hosting her.
Two days later, on March 3, Vitória was at the Essex University campus in Colchester and met with a lecturer after lunch.
She was expected to meet the lecturer again at 4.45pm, but did not arrive.
Instead, Vitória took the number 87 bus to Brightlingsea just after 1pm. She was seen on doorbell footage in the Hurst Green area of the town at around 2.30pm.
Vitória was seen on CCTV jumping over a fence into a boatyard, close to where her bag was found, shortly after midnight – around 10 hours after the confirmed sighting in Hurst Green.
On March 4, an unmoored boat was discovered close to where Vitória was seen on CCTV.
The vessel's engine did not appear to have been started, and over the next few hours, it began drifting out of the harbour before coming to a rest close to Bradwell-on-Sea.
Later that day, Vitória was reported missing.
There have been reports of possible sightings of Vitória in the Bradwell-on-Sea area.
Vitória’s loved ones believe she may be moving south and trying to reach Southend, where the lecturer hosting her lives.
They are renewing their appeal for information, six months since the missing Brazilian psychologist's disappearance.
A spokesperson for the family said on Facebook: "Please keep Vitoria in your thinking.
"We are relying on someone, somewhere, to break the silence. To share a lead or vital information. We are here to listen.
"Please contact Essex Police, Crimestoppers UK or our Facebook account if you are that person. The one who could create a breakthrough."
Police are continuing to search for Vitória.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: "She was last seen in the Brightlingsea area on Tuesday, March 3.
"Officers are following several lines of enquiry and are appealing to anyone who may have seen her or has information to call 999. "
To follow updates from her loved ones, join the ‘Find Vitoria Barreto’ Facebook group.
If you have any information, call 999 quoting incident 622 of 4 March.
A dedicated portal to share information with Essex Police has also been set up: Public Portal.
Share