The Metropolitan Police have reported that a body retrieved from the River Thames last month is believed to be that of Samaria Ayanle, a 19-year-old student from London who had been reported missing. Ayanle was last observed on CCTV footage in the vicinity of Marble Arch on February 22. Following her disappearance, a body was subsequently discovered on the north foreshore near Putney Pier by a member of the public.

Initially, the body found did not match any existing missing persons reports, but further investigation has led police to believe that the body is indeed that of Samaria Ayanle. Formal identification processes are still underway, and the circumstances surrounding her death are currently being described as “unexplained.”

Samaria Ayanle was a first-year student at SOAS University of London, where she was studying Japanese and the History of Art. The university and police have expressed their condolences and offered support to Ayanle’s family and friends during this challenging time.

As the investigation continues, the Metropolitan Police has appealed to the public for any information related to Ayanle’s disappearance and subsequent death. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the police at 101, referencing 01/60807/24.