Hertfordshire Police have made a public appeal to anyone who knows any details about the whereabouts of Joy Morgan, who would have had her 21st birthday this week.
She studies midwifery at the University of Hertfordshire and was last seen dancing at a church in Hainault (video below) on 26th December at a Christmas event.
She messaged university coursemates on WhatsApp the following day but wasn't reported missing until 7th February by her Mum, Carol Morgan, who said it wasn't unusual not to hear from her for a while when she was at university.
Carol Morgan only found out because Joy's letting agent informed her family that her rent hadn't been paid.
The police say a 40 year old man, said to be from the same church, has been arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder and released on bail while enquiries continue.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karena Thomas from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: "Joy is described as a focused and determined student. She is also an active member of the Hainault Street Church in Ilford, which Joy herself has described as a community that feels like her family.
"Her disappearance is completely out of character and all avenues we have explored to establish her whereabouts so far have come back negative.
"Joy has been missing for over a month and we, along with her family, are growing increasingly concerned for her safety".
The Detective said they were open minded about why she may have gone missing but added: "we also need to consider the context in which Joy has gone missing and given the sudden nature of her disappearance and the non-contact with friends, family or with fellow worshippers at her church, at this stage, sadly, we have to consider that she may have come to harm."
As part of the investigation, officers said they are keen to trace a Honda car that Joy regularly took lifts in. The vehicle's owner has been identified and spoken to but it is believed that the vehicle is linked to Joy's disappearance.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Missing People charity on 116 000.
Have you seen missing Joy Morgan from #Hatfield? It's her 21st birthday today. She has links to #Ilford & #Bedfordshire & has not been seen since the end of December 2018. If you've got info on her whereabouts call 101. For immediate sightings call 999. https://t.co/ZnCF4Q67no pic.twitter.com/NHIbNzR5AD
— Herts Police (@HertsPolice) 12 February 2019
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