Richard Okorogheye: Over £20,000 raised in memory of London student
The fundraiser was set up less than 24 hours ago
Last updated 9th Apr 2021
More than £20,000 has been raised in memory of Richard Okorogheye - less than 24 hours since being set up.
It'll go towards funeral costs - and to build a foundation in his name supporting Sickle Cell sufferers and mental health in young people.
Richard's family also want to build a memorial bench in Epping Forest - where his body was found.
The 19-year-old left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of Monday March 22.
He was reported missing on the Wednesday.
His death is being treated as unexplained and police do not believe at this stage that there was any third-party involvement.
His mum, Evidence Joel, questioned how her son, who has sickle cell disease, had been able to travel to Essex.
She said: "It's too far for Richard to walk into the darkness alone. How did he get there? We don't know. I feel something happened there.
"The forest is massive and scary, it's a place that one wouldn't wish to go at night.
"It was not a very comfortable place to be.''
The cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out, however the Metropolitan Police found no evidence of physical trauma or assault, the force said.