Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Kate’s condolences
Duchess’ heartfelt letter to Sarah’s grief-stricken family
SARAH Everard’s disappearance and death has struck a chord with the Duchess of Cambridge, who used to walk the streets of London alone as a young woman.
And the mum of three was so moved she has written an emotional letter to the 33-year-old’s family expressing her sadness and sympathy.
Kate, 39, previously lived less than three miles from Clapham, South London, where Sarah vanished on March 3 – sharing a flat in Chelsea with her sister Pippa.
A source said: “This was a deeply personal and heartfelt letter, simply to express her absolute sadness at what Sarah’s family and loved ones are going through. The Duchess knows that no words can change what has happened, but wanted to let them know that they and Sarah are in her thoughts.
“She remembers what it is like to walk alone as a young woman in London, and elsewhere, and like so many other women she has been thinking deeply about her experiences during those times.
“It was important for her to pay her respects in this way. This was a private matter to her and she wanted to show unity with everyone else who shares these feelings.”
As the impact of Sarah’s murder was felt around the nation in the days that followed, Kate made a private visit to a shrine near the spot where the marketing executive was last spotted before she was allegedly abducted.
The Duchess laid daffodils and
spent several moments looking at a sea of flowers left in tribute before a vigil started. Police were later criticised for their heavy handed tactics in breaking up the gathering, where several women were bundled to the ground and arrested.
Former Durham University student Sarah’s body was found a week after she vanished in a builder’s bag dumped in a field near Ashford, Kent.
Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her kidnap and murder. The married dad of two worked for the armed Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection unit.
He has been remanded in custody after a judge set a plea hearing date for July 9 and a provisional trial date for October 25.
Sarah’s family have paid tribute to her as “bright and beautiful… a
wonderful daughter and sister”. They said: “She was kind thoughtful, caring, and dependable.”
Sarah, originally from York, had left a friend’s home in Clapham at around 9pm after sharing a bottle of wine.
She called boyfriend Josh Lowth as she walked home to nearby Brixton. Their chat ended at 9.28pm and Sarah was never heard from again. Josh, 33, reported her missing the next day.
After the Met blocked a group’s plans to hold a minute’s silence to remember Sarah and all females lost to violence, organisers set up a fund to donate to women’s causes. As of last night it had raised more than £537,000. ■ You can donate at justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/reclaimthesestreets.