New Development: The search for Vitoria, a 30-year-old psychologist who vanished two weeks ago, has ended — but the way she was found is deeply unsettling

“We know Vitoria is probably not feeling herself, she might be scared,” the missing woman’s mother said

Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto.Credit : Essex Police

After a 30-year-old woman vanished in the southeast of England almost two weeks ago, officials have located what they believe is her laptop. There have also been numerous possible sightings of the Brazilian national.

On Saturday, March 14, authorities found a laptop they think belongs to Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto in Brightlingsea in the Tendring District of Essex, the Essex Police said in a statement. Barreto, a psychologist, was reported missing during a stay with a friend on Wednesday, March 4, police previously said.

The woman’s family has been updated about the latest discovery.

“We are also aware of a number of reported potential sightings of Vitoria in the Bradwell area,” officials continued. “We have had a policing presence in Bradwell and in the Dengie area throughout the weekend and these reports are being progressed appropriately alongside other lines of enquiry which we must also continue to work through.”

On Sunday, March 15, the members of the marine unit escorted the missing woman’s loved ones on the same boat journey she may have gone on after she was caught on video jumping over a boatyard fence just after midnight on the day she disappeared, on March 4.

The Essex Police had no further updates when contacted by PEOPLE.

Barreto was seen at the University of Essex campus with a friend on Tuesday, March 3, before getting on a bus to Brightlingsea that afternoon, police said. A white tote bag that she owned was later found on Monday, March 9, near Copperas Road, and officials discovered CCTV footage in which a person, believed to be the missing 30-year-old woman, was seen jumping over a fence near where the bag was later found.

There is a possibility that Barreto may have unmoored a boat from a Brightlingsea pontoon, which was located adrift in the water close to Bradwell-on-Sea, authorities said. Officials believe a “horseshoe-shaped buoyancy aid” was missing from the vessel.

Footage of the missing woman.

Essex Police

Investigators have also searched the town area after the tote bag was found.

As the intensive search continues, Barreto’s family asks the Brazilian community in the area to display Brazilian flags to “create a safe and welcoming space for her,” police said.

“Sunday 15 March is of course Mother’s Day in the UK. I am a mum myself and I cannot even begin to imagine the pain Vitoria’s mother Gleyz has experienced since Vitoria’s disappearance,” Detective Superintendent Anna Granger of the Essex Police said in a statement.

Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto.

Essex Police

“Every single officer, staff member and volunteer involved in this search would love nothing more than to reunite Vitoria with her mum,” she continued, “and we’re working around the clock to do that.”

Earlier that week, Barreto’s mom, Gleyz Barreto, also gave a heartfelt plea that was shared by police.

“We know Vitoria is probably not feeling herself, she might be scared. To anyone who sees her, please make her feel welcome, make her feel loved and help her feel calm,” Gleyz said. “We are here for you Vitoria – please come home. You have done nothing wrong and you are loved.”

Anyone with information about Vitoria’s whereabouts or with footage is asked to call the U.K.’s emergency number or police.