Colchester: Missing Ella Is Found Safe

A 15-year-old girl from Colchester who went missing while being treated for depression has been found safe and well.

Ella Hysom vanished at around 1.15pm on Monday in Ilford. She had been receiving treatment at a residential hospital in Goodmayes for six weeks before she vanished.

Ella was found after she was spotted by a member of the public in Ilford town centre.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were appealing for assistance to trace Ella Hysom, who went missing from an address in Ilford on Monday November 11. The 15-year-old has since been found safe and well.

"We would like to thank the media and members of the public for their assistance."

Yesterday her parents made an emotional appeal for her return and this afternoon police confirmed she had been found.

A keen rower and ballroom dancer, Ella, deputy head girl at Gilberd Secondary School in Colchester, was described as a "gregarious" and well-liked teenager.

But she had been suffering from depression since the start of the year and had been receiving treatment at the residential hospital for the past six weeks.

Her mother Alison Hysom, 43, had directly appealed to her, saying: "Ella, darling, please get in touch. We love you so much. You are so loved by so many friends and family and we just want you back."

Public appeals were made for help finding her through police and using social networking sites.