Worthing mum's fight for missing daughter, four years later

Georgina Gharsallah, 30, from Worthing, disappeared from near the town centre on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

The mother-of-two was last seen entering a convenience shop in Clifton Road. She was reported missing to Sussex Police ten days later.

Now, following the fourth anniversary of Georgina’s disappearance on Monday, her mother, Andrea Gharsallah, says she is still determined to find her.

“I can’t just forget about her. I need to keep it out there, all the time,” she said.

Andrea Gharsallah at a previous vigil held for her daughter (Image: Newsquest)

“She’s missing. She just completely disappeared. There’s no leads whatsoever.

“The police recorded it as a no-body homicide. If that’s the case, then I think they should be more active in finding out what’s actually happened to her, or who’s actually done it.”

Andrea held two small vigils for her daughter in Worthing yesterday, with members of the public showing continued support in the search for her.

In September 2020, Sussex Police referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct after Andrea and her family raised concerns over the way the case was handled.

A review of the investigation found there had been “significant missed opportunities”.

“Nine pieces of CCTV footage had been lost,” said Andrea.

Andrea says Sussex Police should be doing more

“In those nine segments, there were missed opportunities, because they can’t bring those back.”

Sussex Police said: “There were significant missed opportunities in one aspect – the investigation strand focusing on CCTV, with the parameters not being reviewed in the light of new information, some CCTV footage not being secured and some of the CCTV that was collected not being viewed in a timely manner."

Georgina Gharsallah has been missing since 2018

In response to a request for an update on the investigation, senior investigating officer DCI Andy Wolstenholme said: "We continue to do what we can to keep Georgina in the thoughts and minds of the public.

"We know someone out there has the information we're looking for and as we have done since the day Georgina was last seen, we urge them to come forward - either to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.

READ MORE: No 'exclusive' proof that missing Georgina Gharsallah is alive

"Behind the scenes, we continue to actively investigate Georgina's disappearance and we will continue to follow all reasonable lines of enquiry that come into us."