Police to comb through banking data of woman who mysteriously went missing weeks ago

Police searching for an academic from Brazil who vanished in Essex more than three weeks ago are trying to access her phone and bank data.

30-year-old Vitoria Barreto’s banking and communications are registered outside of the UK, which has posed a ‘challenge’ for officers.

Detective Superintendent Anna Granger said: ‘We have sought to gain access to these through the correct channels as quickly as possible’.

It’s hoped that once officers get the data, it could help them pursue other lines of investigation.

Ms Barreto has not been in contact with loved ones since March 3, after she met a friend at Essex University in Colchester.

The psychologist made a 30-minute bus journey from Wivenhoe to the coastal town of Brightlingsea on the afternoon of March 3.

She was reported missing the following day. CCTV showed her appearing to hop over a fence into a boat yard just after midnight on March 4.

Officers have expanded their search for CCTV of Ms Barreto in Brightlingsea, specifically between a sighting in the Hurst Green area at about 2.35pm on March 3, and 12.16am on March 4 when she was in a boat yard close to Copperas Road.

They think they have a further sighting of Ms Barreto on land, between Back Waterside Lane and Mill Street.

The sighting is from private CCTV and shows the person believed to be Ms Barreto at 3.33 pm on March 3, one hour after she was seen in Hurst Green.

Ms Granger said: ‘We have always worked on the likely premise that Vitoria has made her way towards Copperas Road from Hurst Green through this green space.

‘Although this footage is captured from a distance, we do believe it is likely to be her.’

Officers have appealed for any walkers who may have been in the area to think back in case they remember seeing her.

She continued: ‘Our work is also focused on accessing Vitoria’s communication and financial data. Whilst all our requests have been made through the correct international channels, at this stage, we have yet to receive any data.

‘We know this international work has the support of Vitoria’s loved ones and the Brazilian embassy. Vitoria’s banking and communications being registered outside of the UK does pose a challenge, and we have sought to gain access to these through the correct channels as quickly as possible.

‘Although our physical searches of land, coastline and water continue to be finalised, I hope it is clear that our work to find Vitoria has not stopped.

‘We continue to receive reports of sightings, which are followed up with particular focus, and Vitoria’s loved ones are being kept up to date with all our work. We remain determined to provide them with the answers they need.’

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