Body of student, 19, pulled from river after she went missing three weeks ago

A body recovered from the River Thames last month is believed to be that of missing SOAS University student Samaria Ayanle, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Ayanle, 19, was last seen at her SOAS University accommodation near Marble Arch in the early hours of February 22.

Only hours later, officers received reports of a body on the north foreshore near Putney Pier about five miles southwest.

At the time, no missing person reports matched the recovered body. Detectives uploaded her details to the UK Missing Persons database in a bid to help give her name back.

Ayanle was reported missing by university staff on March 8.

‘After Samaria was reported missing officers linked their enquiries to the 22 February discovery on Wednesday, 13 March,’ police said in a statement yesterday.

‘They have viewed body-worn video from then and believe the person found is Samaria. Formal identification awaits.

‘Samaria’s death is being treated as unexplained, pending further enquiries.’

SOAS said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear that police have discovered a body which is believed to be that of Samaria Ayanle, who was a first-year student at SOAS University of London, studying for a BA in Japanese and the History of Art.

‘Our thoughts are with her family, loved ones and friends at this difficult time.

‘We know that this news will be felt by many and we will be doing everything we can to support friends, family and the wider student and staff community.’

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