Detectives searching for the woman found a body in the Kent bushveld on Wednesday night, said Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave. “I can now confirm that it is the body of Sarah Everard.”
A serving Metropolitan police officer has been arrested in connection with Everard’s kidnapping and murder.
” A man remains in custody at a London police station on suspicion of committing the crimes, ” Ephgrave said. A post-mortem will now take place on Everard’s remains.
Everard disappeared on March 3 while walking in Clapham, south London, causing an extensive police search in the area.
Her remains were eventually found more than 50 kilometers from where she was last seen. A police officer whose ‘primary role was in uniform patrol duties of diplomatic premises’ was arrested in Kent on Tuesday night.
On Friday, Everard’s family described her as a ‘shining example’ who was ‘friendly and strong’ when they appealed to anyone with information to help detectives.
“Sarah was bright and beautiful – a wonderful daughter and sister. She was friendly and considerate, caring and trustworthy. She always put others first and had the most wonderful sense of humor,” her family said.
The police’s watchdog said in a statement on Thursday that it had begun an independent investigation into police action in which the suspect was involved.
“I know the public is hurt and angry about what happened. And those are sentiments that I personally share, and I also know my colleagues here at Scotland Yard and across the Met section,” Ephgrave said Friday.
Everard’s disappearance prompted thousands of women to recount their own experiences of intimidation or harassment while walking alone in British cities and around the world at night.
Many also shared notes about the usual precautions they take to try to stay safe when walking alone – and expressed their anger and frustration that it feels necessary.
“I understand that women in London and the wider public, especially those in the area where Sarah went missing, will be worried and possibly scared,” Ephgrave said on Friday, adding that Londoners can expect an increase in officers on the street in the coming days.
A “Recycle These Streets” vigil was organized via Facebook on Saturday at 6pm on Clapham Common, a green space that Everard walked near around 9pm when she was on her way to her home in Brixton.
It is unclear whether the event can legally proceed, given the current UK Covid-19 restrictions banning public gatherings. The organizers said the police had reversed the position and did not allow it to take place, challenging them in the courts.