Two years ago, this column delved into the story of Owami Davies, a 24-year-old student nurse from Essex whose six-week disappearance went largely unnoticed until the Daily Mirror and a few other media outlets pressed the police to take action. Fortunately, Owami was eventually found alive by a member of the public, prompting an investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct into the handling of her case. Among the failings highlighted was the issuance of CCTV images showing the wrong woman, underscoring systemic shortcomings in addressing cases of missing Black women.
Sadly, Owami’s experience is not an isolated incident. In 2021, the Independent Office of Police Conduct found that London’s Metropolitan Police had failed to adhere to their own missing person’s policies in the case of Bibaa and Nicole, daughters of Mina Smallman, who were tragically murdered and found by friends who had organized their own search party. Like wise, in 2019, Joy Morgan’s mother, Carol, criticized the prioritization of animal stories over the search for her daughter, who was later found deceased.
The tragic murder of the primary school teacher Sabina Nessa further highlights the failures in the system , as the perpetrator was flagged to police just three days before committing the heinous crime, yet no investigation was initiated. These cases underscore a troubling pattern of neglect and indifference towards missing persons, particularly within marginalized communities.
The recent spotlight on missing persons, such as Claudia Lawrence, Genette Tate, Suzy Lamplugh, and Madeleine McCann, underscores the enduring anguish faced by their families. However, the disparity in media coverage and public attention based on demographic factors is glaring, perpetuating what is known as “Missing White Woman Syndrome.”
Looking at the case of Samaria Ayanle, a 19-year-old student whose disappearance was only reported by her university two weeks after her deceased body was found in the River Thames, further highlights this disparity. The reluctance of authorities to acknowledge and prioritize cases involving Black individuals exacerbates the anguish of their loved ones and perpetuates systemic injustice.
The growing number of missing Black people found in or near bodies of water in recent years, including Blessing Olusegun, Richard Okorogheye, Olisa Odukwe, Kayon Williams, and Taiwo Balogun, raises troubling questions about systemic biases and inequities in law enforcement and media representation.
In response to these systemic failures, members of the public have taken matters into their own hands, highlighting the need for community-driven initiatives to address the disparities in the treatment of missing persons. Initiatives like “Asking The Tides,” aimed at collating information and raising awareness, serve as crucial steps towards challenging systemic injustice and ensuring that all missing persons receive the attention and resources they deserve.
Ultimately, addressing the root causes of systemic bias and inequality in the treatment of missing persons requires systemic reform within law enforcement agencies and media institutions. Until then, the anguish of families like Owami Davies and countless others will continue, underscoring the urgent need for justice and accountability in addressing cases of missing persons, regardless of race or ethnicity.