Missing academic's boat found adrift, buoyancy aid missing

The disappearance of Brazilian clinical psychologist Vitoria Barreto, 30, has deepened, with a boat believed to be connected to her vanishing found adrift near Bradwell-on-Sea. The vessel was discovered on March 4, the day after her disappearance, notably missing its essential buoyancy aid. Barreto was last seen on March 3 after visiting her friend Liliane Silva in Southend, Essex.

On the day she went missing, Barreto was reportedly quiet and confused, unusual for her talkative nature, according to her friend. She was last seen on CCTV boarding a bus and disembarking in Brightlingsea, an area unfamiliar to her. Her tote bag was found nearly a week later, followed by her laptop.

Further blurry CCTV footage showed a person, believed to be Barreto, entering a boatyard on Brightlingsea pontoon shortly after midnight. Police are investigating the possibility that she may have unmoored and boarded a boat that subsequently drifted out of the harbour.

Essex Police continue to investigate numerous potential sightings and theories surrounding Barreto's disappearance. While there is no definitive footage of her unmooring the boat, her presence in the boatyard area shortly before it was unmoored is a key point of investigation. Family and friends express deep concern, emphasizing that her recent behaviour was out of character.