This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Police searching for a missing university student are trying to trace information on a car belonging to the man accused of her murder.

Shohfah-El Israel, 40, of north-west London, is charged with the murder of Joy Morgan, a 21-year-old midwifery student at the University of Hertfordshire.

Morgan was last seen in Ilford, east London, on 26 December and her body has yet to be found.

Detectives investigating her murder have released a photo of a car they said belongs to Israel and issued an appeal for information.

Police previously reported Israel’s name as Ajibola Shogbamimu. The Honda car, which has been located, has a red body and black roof and bonnet.

DI Justine Jenkins, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: “We know that Joy used to travel in this vehicle, which is highly distinctive, and I am particularly interested to hear from anybody who saw this vehicle over the festive period and into the new year.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Joy Morgan, missing since 28 December. Photograph: Hertfordshire police/PA

“If you recall seeing the vehicle during this period please call us with the circumstances and location.”

Morgan, described as slim, about 5ft 5in, with glasses and afro hair she regularly covers with a scarf, has links to Ilford, Battersea, Cricklewood, Stevenage and Luton.

An online fundraising page set up by a woman in the US to support Morgan’s family has raised almost $14,000 (£10,600). Rhoda Small, who is not related, contacted Morgan’s mother Carol to offer help covering legal, burial and other costs.

Morgan’s cousin, Sharmain Morgan-Cyrus, 36, from Battersea, south-west London, said: “We weren’t aware of how far it would go, we’re speechless.

“The motivation was for support and love for the family, she generally felt sympathy for not being able to find Joy. It was nice to see people wanted to help,” she said, thanking those who had donated.

Morgan-Cyrus said her family were “praying and hoping” for Joy to be found. “Aunty Carol has always got hope that Joy will come through the door, like we all do,” she added.

“We just want this over and done with, bad or good, we just want peace of mind. Every day we wake up, get ready and come down to my aunt’s. We’re like zombies.”

Israel will next appear at St Albans crown court for a pre-trial preparation hearing on 31 May, with a trial set for 8 July.