Family of missing midwifery student Joy Morgan 'broken inside' as man arrested on suspicion of murder

The family of missing midwifery student Joy Morgan have issued a desperate plea for her return after not hearing from her for more than eight weeks.

Joy’s mother Carol Morgan said she is “broken inside” after the 21-year-old went missing on the day after Boxing Day in Ilford.

Ms Morgan, of Battersea, has urged her daughter to “contact anyone” after weeks of silence as the mother-of-four said she “just wanted to know that you’re alive and well”.

Hertforshire University student Joy, from Hatfield, was last seen on December 27 after attending a church celebration.

Joy had been a member of the church for two years, Ms Morgan said, and had made contact with a friend on Whatsapp the day after.

Hertfordshire Police said a 40-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of the young girl’s murder, and released on bail while enquiries continue.

Ms Morgan said the last time she saw her daughter face-to-face was in September, but the pair had regularly spoken on the phone, most recently about what Joy’s plans were going to be on Boxing Day.

The 51-year-old said: “We’re broken. All of us are broken inside. She’s only a girl, she’s so loved by us and we miss her so much.”

Ms Morgan said Joy was the middle of four children, loved sewing and cooking and described her disappearance as “completely out of character”.

She said: “It’s been totally out of character, we would normally have contact with her. She was doing a midwifery course and she was doing everything she could to complete that.

“She was in her last year of the course and had done so much work for it.”

Appealing directly to her daughter, Ms Morgan said: “All we want you to do is come forward, go to the police and speak to a police officer.

“All I want to know, baby, is that you’re alive and well and that’s it.

“You can get in touch with anyone, someone. Even if you don’t want to speak to police, you can speak to anyone. Even if you don’t want to speak to me, I just want to know you are alive and well.”

Officers have described Joy as as black, of slim build, around 5ft 5in tall, with black afro-style hair which she often covers with a scarf. Joy also wears glasses.

As part of the investigation, officers are keen to trace information around a highly distinctive Honda that Joy regularly travels in.

The vehicle’s owner has been identified and spoken to but it is believed that the vehicle is linked to Joy’s disappearance, the force said.

Any information about Joy’s whereabouts can be submitted online here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/35SA020119R15-PO1