A 30-year-old Brazilian psychologist and academic, Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto, remains missing in Essex, United Kingdom, more than a week after she was last in contact with loved ones on March 3, 2026. Police have released the last known image of her and are investigating the possibility that she entered a boatyard in the coastal town of Brightlingsea and may have taken a boat, heightening concerns for her safety amid an intensive multi-agency search.

Vitoria, a clinical psychologist from Fortaleza, Brazil, had arrived in the UK on February 2, 2026, following a conference in Morocco. She was staying with her friend Liliane Silva, a PhD student and lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Essex in Colchester. The two were collaborating on a research project examining aspects of the Brazilian healthcare system and comparing it to community mental health support in the UK. Vitoria was also exploring opportunities for doctoral studies in the country.

On the afternoon of March 3, Vitoria met her friend at the University of Essex campus in Wivenhoe. CCTV footage shows her boarding the number 87 bus at the campus just after 1 p.m. The 30-minute journey took her to Brightlingsea, a small seaside town about 10 miles southeast of Colchester. She disembarked in Brightlingsea later that afternoon, but no further confirmed sightings occurred until early the next morning.

Family and friends grew alarmed when she failed to respond to messages or calls. She was reported missing to Essex Police on March 4 by her friend. Officers immediately launched inquiries, reviewing CCTV, speaking to witnesses, and appealing to the public.

A significant development came when police located a white shoulder tote bag matching Vitoria’s description—bearing the words “people over profit”—on a greenspace near Copperas Road in Brightlingsea on March 9. The bag was found by a member of the public and handed over to authorities. Its discovery shifted focus to the surrounding area.

Further CCTV analysis revealed a person, believed to be Vitoria, climbing over a fence into a boatyard in Brightlingsea at approximately 00:16 on March 4—just after midnight. Essex Police have released still images from this footage as the last confirmed sighting. The boatyard is near where the bag was recovered, leading investigators to explore whether she accessed a vessel and left by water. Searches have included marine units, coastguard resources, and ground teams combing coastal paths, beaches, and nearby woodlands.

Vitoria’s family in Brazil, including her mother and partner, have spoken publicly about their deep worry. They describe her as a dedicated professional, passionate about mental health, and someone who maintained close contact with loved ones. Her friend Liliane Silva has supported police appeals, emphasizing Vitoria’s collaborative spirit and the academic purpose of her visit. The family has thanked the Brightlingsea community for joining searches and checking private CCTV or doorbell cameras.

Essex Police continue to treat the case as a missing person inquiry with no indication of criminal involvement at this stage. The detective leading the search has reiterated appeals for information, particularly from residents in Brightlingsea who may have seen Vitoria or have relevant footage. Officers have urged anyone with details—no matter how small—to contact police on 999 or 101, quoting the incident reference.

The disappearance has drawn attention in both the UK and Brazil, with media coverage amplifying calls for sightings. Community efforts in Brightlingsea have included organized searches, while the University of Essex has offered support to staff and students affected by the news. Vitoria’s background as a psychologist adds poignancy to the case, as her expertise in mental health contrasts with the uncertainty surrounding her own well-being.

As the search enters its second week, police remain determined, deploying specialist teams including underwater units where appropriate, given the coastal location and boatyard lead. The possibility of her taking a boat opens avenues such as checking harbor records, nearby marinas, or even cross-Channel routes, though no confirmed departure has been established.

For her family and friends, the wait continues amid growing anxiety. They hold onto hope that Vitoria will be found safe, perhaps having sought solitude or encountered an unexpected situation. The released CCTV image—of a woman in a blue turtleneck, coat, and glasses—serves as a stark reminder of her final known moments, urging the public to remain vigilant.

The case underscores the challenges of missing persons investigations in transitional areas like university campuses and coastal towns, where movements can be fleeting and hard to trace. As Essex Police and partner agencies persist, the hope is that new information will emerge to resolve this distressing mystery and reunite Vitoria with those who care for her deeply.