BOAT RIDDLE Major update in search for missing woman, 30, last seen in CCTV boarding bus before vanishing as cops find laptop

COPS have found a laptop believed to belong to a missing woman who was last seen boarding a bus before disappearing.

Essex Police are investigating whether 30-year-old Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto unmoored a boat from a port in Essex the day after she vanished.

CCTV footage of Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto in a dark hooded jacket and light-colored pants.
Police have found a laptop believed to belong to Victoria BarretoCredit: ESSEX POLICE / McLELLAN
 

A smiling woman with dark hair and a blue neck gaiter stands next to a river with rapids, a forest, and blue sky in the background.
The 30-year-old was reported missing on March 4Credit: Facebook
 

CCTV image of Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto on a number 87 bus.
The Brazilian was last seen on CCTV travelling on the number 87 busCredit: PA
As well as a laptop, a bag belonging to the 30-year-old was found on a road next to the sea in Brightlingsea.

Detective Superintendent Anna Granger said: “Sunday 15 March is of course Mother’s Day in the UK.

“I am a mum myself and I cannot even begin to imagine the pain Vitoria’s mother Gleyz has experienced since Vitoria’s disappearance.

“Every single officer, staff member and volunteer involved in this search would love nothing more than to reunite Vitoria with her mum – and we’re working around the clock to do that.

“We have seen first-hand the support from the community in Brightlingsea, and further afield, which has been offered to Vitoria’s loved ones.

“Equally, we know many people from the community have been involved in raising the profile of Vitoria’s disappearance and that has helped to ensure a significant number of people across Essex now recognise her face and her clothes and I would urge our whole community to please keep looking out for her and report any sightings or CCTV information to us as soon as possible.”

The psychologist from Brazil was reported missing on March 4 and a week-long manhunt for Vitoria has uncovered small clues that could explain what happened to her.

She was last seen on CCTV getting off the 87 bus after 1pm and heading towards Brightlingsea Harbour in Essex.

Vitoria was last seen wearing a dark coat, a blue turtleneck jumper, light blue jeans and black trainers.

More video appears to show her climbing over a nearby boatyard fence in the early hours of March 4.

Emergency services including an air support services, a marine unit and specialist search officers scanned over 2.5km of the southern coast of Mersea Island.

The force reported on March 11 that a boat was located adrift in the water close to Bradwell-on-Sea.

The boat, which had been reportedly taken, was initially moored near  Copperas Road where Victoria’s bag was discovered.

Police are now looking into the possibility that Vitoria had taken the boat a day after disappearing.

It is believed that a horseshoe-shaped buoyancy aid was missing from the vessel.

A laptop was also discovered on Saturday believed to belong to Vitoria.

Her family have been updated on the recent revelation and continue to be supported.

The Marine Unit crew took the family on the same boat journey believed to have been taken by Vitoria during her disappearance.

Vitoria’s loved ones are calling on the Brazilian community in Essex to raise Brazilian flags in support of Vitoria.