Body in woods is missing Sarah’s, say police
Yorkshire family told ‘distressing’ news as Met given more time to question suspect from its own ranks
REMAINS discovered in woodland in Kent are those of Yorkshire woman Sarah Everard, officers confirmed yesterday, as police said her family had been given the “distressing news”,
The 33-year-old, originally from York, was reported missing on March 3, after she left a friend’s flat in Clapham, south London.
Remains were discovered in the woodland in Ashford on Wednesday.
A serving Metropolitan Police officer meanwhile remained in custody yesterday on suspicion of kidnap and murder after courts granted detectives more time to carry out their enquiries.
Speaking outside Scotland Yard, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said: “The body has now been recovered and a formal identification procedure has been undertaken. I can now confirm that it is the body of Sarah Everard. Clearly Sarah’s family have been updated with this most distressing news.
“I just want to pause for a moment and say that my thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire organisation, remain with her and with them at this awful time.”
The family of Ms Everard, a marketing executive, issued a statement to say: “Our beautiful daughter Sarah was taken from us and we are appealing for any information that will help to solve this terrible crime.
“Sarah was bright and beautiful – a wonderful daughter and sister. She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour.
“She was strong and principled and a shining example to us all. We are very proud of her and she brought so much joy to our lives.
“We would like to thank our friends and family for all their support during this awful time and we would especially like to thank Sarah’s friends who are working tirelessly to help.”
Ms Everard’s case has prompted fresh debate about women’s safety, with the Government vowing to reopen a public consultation to help in its strategies in
tackling violence against women and girls, which is due to be published in the summer.
More than 20 women per day in the Yorkshire and Humber region reported being sexually assaulted or raped in the year ending March 2020, according to police data.
Women in the region are also 5.9 times more likely than men to be assaulted, and 13.6 times more likely than men to be raped, according to the figures.
Women’s Aid said it had been concerned that the initial consultation over the women’s safety strategy, much of which fell throughout the third lockdown, would “limit the ability” of survivors and local services to respond.
Head of campaigns and policy Lucy Hadley said: “Whilst it is good to see a longer timeframe, the call for evidence has not been accessible to all survivors – particularly deaf and disabled women, those with insecure immigration status and language support needs.
“We remain highly disappointed that there is still no change to the Government’s plan to separate domestic abuse from this strategy, a decision which will put the response to all forms of violence towards women and girls into reverse.
“We urge the Government to listen to the voices of all survivors in this process, and deliver a strategy which protects and supports all women.”