What happened to missing Barking woman?

POLICE HAVE made a renewed appeal to the public to help them find out what happened to a woman who disappeared in Barking in September 2017. Stefana Otilia Malinici, who is known as Otilia, has not been seen since 6th September.

On that day, Otilia, then aged 37, left her home on Beccles Drive. She was wearing a black top which had a large, light coloured motif; dark, tight jeans or leggings which were tucked into flat, dark, mid-calf boots, and a dark three-quarter length fitted jacket. Her hair was red and in a bobbed style.

Since that date she has not contacted her husband or children. There was one sighting of her on CCTV, in a shop on Green Lane, Ilford, on 9th October. After that, she seems to have vanished – which is all the more worrying as she is classed as a vulnerable person. Police would like Otilia to contact them, if she is able to.  They would also like to hear from anyone who has met her or knows her past or current whereabouts.

Detective Inspector Frank Copley, from the Met’s East Area Public Protection unit, said: “It is now a number of years since Otilia was reported missing and we are continuing our work to find out where she is. “We do not have any evidence that she has come to harm and if Otilia is aware of this appeal, ask her to make contact with us.

“Her family here in the UK and in Romania are still carrying on their daily lives without knowing where their loved one is. We also urge that anyone who may know Otilia, or where she is, to come forward without further delay. You will not be in trouble, our goal is solely to ensure her welfare. We ask if anyone who has provided shelter or support to Otilia to contact police. Even if this was not recently, we want to hear from you.”

In a statement her family said, “Otilia Stefania Malinici is a mother of two children and a wife. She has always been a caring and loving person towards the people around her. She brings support and love for the people who need it, like her family, friends and even strangers and she always tries do anything to cheer people up. We appeal to the public for anyone to come forward if they know anything about her or her whereabouts, or to her directly to please return home safely.”

●Anyone who has any information which may assist police is asked to contact them via 101 or to contact Missing People on 116000.  Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111 and give information anonymously.

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Vulnerable Barking woman missing

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