Essex Search for Missing Brazilian Psychologist Intensifies After Linked Boat Found Without Lifejacket

Overview

• Essex Police expanded operations to significant ground searches in Bradwell-on-Sea after a small boat tied to the case was found secured to a tree with its orange horseshoe lifejacket missing.
• CCTV places Vitória Figueiredo Barreto near Brightlingsea docks at 00:16 on 4 March, with a 20‑minute window before a boat was untied and no clear images identifying who did so.
• Investigators report her phone last signaled near the docks and is now detected only over the sea, and they are appealing to residents and boat owners to check CCTV and doorbell cameras.
• Family accounts, citing information shown by police, describe a person rowing about 100 metres to larger boats and attempting to start a motorboat before likely entering the water with a lifejacket; police also consider she may have returned to shore.
• Brazil’s consulate is monitoring the case and Ceará’s public prosecutor has asked a court to authorize access to her bank and phone records to support the investigation.