Detectives looking for the woman found a body in the woods in Kent on Wednesday night, said Nick Ephgrave, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. “Now I can confirm that it is the body of Sarah Everard.”
A Metropolitan Police officer on duty was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering Everard.
“A man remains in custody at a London police station on suspicion of committing these crimes,” said Ephgrave. A post-mortem examination will now take place on Everard’s remains.
Everard disappeared on March 3 while walking through Clapham, in south London, which led to an extensive police search in the area.
Her remains were found more than 50 miles from where she was last seen. A policeman whose “primary role was to uniformly patrol diplomatic facilities” was arrested in Kent on Tuesday night.
On Friday, Everard’s family described her as a “brilliant example” who was “kind and strong” in appealing to anyone with information to help detectives.
“Sarah was brilliant and beautiful – a wonderful daughter and sister. She was kind and caring, caring and trustworthy. She always put others first and had the most incredible sense of humor,” said her family.
On Thursday, police surveillance said in a statement that it had initiated an independent investigation into police actions involving the suspect.
“I know the public is hurt and angry about what happened. And those are the feelings that I personally share, and I know my colleagues here at Scotland Yard and across the Met as well,” said Ephgrave on Friday.
Everard’s disappearance has led thousands of women to share their own experiences of bullying or harassment while walking alone at night in British cities and around the world.
Many also exchanged notes about the usual precautions they take to try to stay safe when they walk alone – and expressed their anger and frustration that this seems necessary.
“I understand that women in London and the general public, particularly those in the area where Sarah has disappeared, will be concerned and may be feeling scared,” said Ephgrave on Friday, adding that Londoners can expect an increase in police in the street in the next few days.
A “Reclaim These Streets” vigil was organized via Facebook at 6 pm on Saturday in Clapham Common, a green space where Everard walked around 9 pm, as he headed for his home in Brixton.
It is not clear whether the event can proceed legally, given the UK’s current Covid-19 restrictions that prohibit public meetings. Organizers said the police reversed the position and would not allow this to happen, a move they are challenging in the courts.