The Metropolitan Police have launched an urgent appeal for information following the disappearance of Nazire Koreli, a 54-year-old woman from Welling, south-east London, amid growing concerns that she may have come to harm.
Nazire was officially reported missing on Friday, February 28, but early investigations suggest she has not been seen or heard from since September 2024. The case has now taken a grave turn after a man in his fifties was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, March 10. He remains in custody as detectives continue their enquiries.
“We’re Keeping an Open Mind,” Say Police
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime South unit, is leading the investigation. He said:
“Since receiving this report, our officers have made multiple enquiries to locate Nazire. We are keeping an open mind, and this is currently being managed as a missing person investigation.”
However, the suspicion of murder has heightened the urgency of the investigation, with officers now working around the clock to determine what happened during the critical six-month period between September 2024 and March 2025.
Who is Nazire Koreli?
Nazire is described as slim, with light brown hair and olive skin, and is well-known in the Bexley community, where she is said to have had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Her prolonged absence has alarmed those who knew her, particularly given the time lapse before her disappearance was formally reported.
Community Urged to Assist
Police are appealing for any information about Nazire’s movements, particularly sightings, conversations, or any interactions dating back to September last year.
“Nazire had many connections in Bexley,” said DCI Jolley. “We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen her during this time. Even the smallest detail could prove crucial.”
How to Help
Members of the public who may have information are urged to:
- Call 101, quoting reference CAD 8315 of 5 March
- Contact the Met Police via @MetCC on X (formerly Twitter)
- Submit information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111
- Use the Major Incident Public Portal, which has been set up specifically to gather digital submissions directly from the public
Local Tensions and Visible Police Presence
Welling, a quiet suburb in the London Borough of Bexley, has been shaken by the developments. Police have been conducting door-to-door enquiries, reviewing CCTV footage, and increasing patrols in the area. Officers remain tight-lipped about the arrested suspect’s connection to Nazire, but investigations are ongoing.
Delayed Reporting Complicates the Search
The delay in reporting Nazire missing—nearly five months after she was last seen—has added complexity to the case. Investigators are now working to reconstruct her life during those months, hoping that public assistance can help bridge the gap.
“This Is Our Collective Responsibility”
The Met’s appeal underscores the importance of community cooperation in missing persons cases. Officers say every detail matters, and they remain hopeful that someone in the community holds a piece of the puzzle.
As the search continues, Nazire’s disappearance raises broader concerns about how individuals can vanish unnoticed, even in today’s hyper-connected world. Whether her absence was voluntary or a result of something more sinister remains unclear — but police are determined to find answers.
