What happened to 16-year-old Victoria Grabowski?
New York teenager who boarded a flight for London missing after speaking to older man online
Police in the UK and the US are attempting to locate a teenage girl who flew from New York to London this weekend after apparently being in contact with an older man.
According to New York police, 16-year-old Victoria Grabowski, from Queens, boarded a flight from John F Kennedy Airport on Saturday and arrived in the UK on Monday morning.
The New York Post reports that her family discovered texts showing she had been communicating with an older man in Britain whom she met online, with Victoria’s uncle, Arkadiusz Grabowski, stating that she “may have been lured to the UK”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He said: “The texts show that she got fascinated with London and wanted to move there.”
The New York Police Department is working with police in London to bring her back to the US.
An NYPD spokesperson said: “She left JFK on Saturday morning and reached the UK on Monday morning. We're working in conjunction with UK police, but unless she contacts us, we're not going to know too much more.”
According to US reports, Victoria is a Polish citizen and used her Polish passport to board the flight, which she paid for in cash. The London Evening Standard reports that her parents do not know how she acquired the money.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Nicola Bulley: police under fire for releasing personal information
Speed Read Disclosure was 'avoidable and unnecessary' and led to 'breakdown of public confidence', College of Policing finds
By The Week UK Published
-
Madeleine McCann: what police are looking for in latest Portuguese search
Under the Radar The long-running investigation, which began in 2007, has turned up a ‘relevant clue’
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
Are the police mishandling the Nicola Bulley investigation?
Under the Radar Lancashire officers have been accused of ‘bungling’ their strategy and having a ‘cack-handed’ approach
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Nicola Bulley: are armchair detectives and TikTok sleuths a help or hindrance?
Talking Point Police chiefs were forced to issue a dispersal order after amateur internet detectives searched the local area
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shooting
Speed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
By The Week Staff Published
-
Texas school shooting: parents turn anger on police
Speed Read Officers had to be urged to enter building where gunman killed 21 people
By The Week Staff Published
-
DJ Tim Westwood denies multiple sexual misconduct allegations
Speed Read At least seven women accuse the radio and TV presenter of predatory behaviour dating back three decades
By The Week Staff Published
-
What happened to Katie Kenyon?
Speed Read Man charged as police search for missing 33-year-old last seen getting into van
By The Week Staff Last updated