Missing Psychologist May Have Taken Boat from Essex Boatyard, Police Reveal
Police in Essex have disclosed that a Brazilian academic who vanished approximately a week ago while visiting the United Kingdom may have taken a boat from a boatyard in Brightlingsea. The last confirmed sighting of Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto, a 30-year-old psychologist, was captured on CCTV at the site just after midnight on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Details of the Disappearance and Investigation
According to Essex Police, officers are aware that a boat was taken from its mooring in the early hours of March 4. The CCTV footage shows Ms. Barreto at 12:16 a.m., but between that time and 12:36 a.m., when the boat was unmoored, she is not visible on camera. There is no clear footage identifying the person who unmoored the vessel, but authorities are exploring the possibility that it was Ms. Barreto.
The boat's route from Brightlingsea to where it was later found near Bradwell has guided extensive search operations. Police have intensified their focus on this line of inquiry after discovering Ms. Barreto's bag off Copperas Road on Monday, close to where the boat was unmoored. Additionally, CCTV footage appears to show a person jumping over a fence into the boatyard near where the bag was found, believed to be Ms. Barreto.
Timeline and Background of the Case
Ms. Barreto was last in contact with loved ones on Tuesday, March 3, when she met a friend at Essex University. That afternoon, she traveled by bus from Wivenhoe to Brightlingsea, a journey lasting about 30 minutes. After disembarking, she was recorded on doorbell footage in the Hurst Green area shortly after 2:30 p.m.
At the time, she was wearing a dark coat, a blue turtleneck jumper, light blue jeans, and black trainers. She was reported missing the following day by her friend, prompting a widespread investigation.
Extensive Search Efforts Underway
Detective Superintendent Anna Granger stated that officers have searched a significantly large area of land and coastline. On Wednesday, with assistance from air support services, the marine unit, and specialist search officers, teams combed the coastline along the River Blackwater, Dengie peninsula, and River Crouch, as well as a 2.5-kilometer stretch on the southern coast of Mersea Island.
Authorities are urging anyone with CCTV of the harbour area not already known to police to review it and come forward. Boat owners moored in Brightlingsea are also asked to check their vessels for any unusual items or signs of unauthorized access.
The investigation remains active as police continue to piece together the events leading to Ms. Barreto's disappearance, with hopes of locating her safely.
