The fiancé of a psychologist who disappeared without a trace eight months ago has issued a fresh plea for information about her whereabouts. Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto, 31, was last seen entering a boatyard in Brightlingsea, Essex, after visiting a friend at the University of Essex.
Fiancé's appeal
Janilson Gomes Da Silveira Filho is urging police, the Government and local communities not to give up the search for the missing psychologist. He said: “As far as we know, there has been no sign of life from Vitoria since March and equally no indication that Vitoria wished to ‘start a new life,’ that all is well and that she is no longer needing help. Similarly, no body has been found — Vitoria is still missing. A young, vibrant psychologist, a daughter, a sister, a friend and a fiancée.”
Janilson also appealed directly to people living in the area to report anything that could help establish what happened to Vitoria. He added: “I ask the habitants of these areas, if you see a woman unfamiliar to the region, an unknown woman, please pass all information to Essex Police. Please speak to others in your community so you can help us during this difficult time.”
Last known movements
Vitoria visited a friend at the University of Essex on March 3 before boarding the number 87 bus from Boundary Road in Wivenhoe shortly after 1pm. CCTV showed her getting off around half an hour later in Bellfield Avenue, Brightlingsea, before she was seen in the Hurst Green area at around 2.30pm.
She was wearing a dark coat, blue turtleneck jumper, light-blue jeans and black trainers with light-coloured soles. She was also carrying a white shoulder bag marked ‘People over profit’. Vitoria was later captured on CCTV at 12.16am on March 4, when a person believed to be her was seen jumping over a fence into a boatyard.
Boat investigation
Police believe a fishing boat was unmoored from a pontoon around 20 minutes later, although officers have previously said there was no clear footage conclusively showing Vitoria taking the vessel. The boat was later found drifting out of the harbour before coming to rest near Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, at around midday.
Five days later, Vitoria’s white shoulder bag was discovered near Copperas Road in Brightlingsea. Her laptop was then recovered in the town on March 14. Police have carried out extensive searches since Vitoria disappeared and have urged residents in both Bradwell and Brightlingsea to check sheds, garages and outbuildings for anything which could help the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Anna Granger previously said: “We would ask residents, particularly in Bradwell but indeed also Brightlingsea, to check sheds, garages and outbuildings on their properties. Even the smallest piece of information could be important. If you believe you saw Vitoria or have information that you have not yet shared with us, please come forward.”
She added: “At the heart of all of this work is Vitoria and her loved ones. This continues to be a distressing time for her family and friends, and they remain at the forefront of our thoughts. Although significant work has already taken place, the passage of time does not lessen the importance of new information coming forward.”
