Detectives looking for the woman found a body in the woods in Kent on Wednesday evening, said Nick Ephgrave, deputy commissioner of metropolitan police. “Now I can confirm it’s Sarah Everard’s body.”
A Metropolitan Police officer on duty has been arrested on suspicion of Everard’s abduction and murder.
“A man remains detained at a London police station on suspicion of committing these crimes,” Ephgrave said. A post-mortem examination will now be made of Everard’s remains.
Everard disappeared on March 3 while walking through Clapham, south London, prompting an extensive police search in the area.
Her remains were finally found more than 50 miles from where she was last seen. A police officer who had “the primary role of patrolling uniforms at diplomatic premises” was arrested in Kent on Tuesday evening.
On Friday, Everard’s family described her as a “brilliant example” who was “kind and strong,” as she called for anyone with information to help detectives.
“Sarah was bright and beautiful: she was a wonderful daughter and sister. She was kind and thoughtful, caring and reliable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humor,” her family said.
On Thursday, the police watchdog said in a statement that it had initiated an independent investigation into police actions related to the suspect.
“I know the audience feels hurt and angry about what has happened. And those are feelings I share personally, and I also know my colleagues here in Scotland Yard and across the Met,” Ephgrave said on Friday.
Everard’s disappearance caused thousands of women to share their own experiences of intimidation or harassment as they walked alone at night through British cities and around the world.
Many also exchanged notes about the usual precautions they take to try to stay safe when walking alone and expressed their anger and frustration because it feels necessary.
“I understand that women in London and the general public, particularly those in the area where Sarah disappeared, will be worried and perhaps frightened,” Ephgrave said on Friday, adding that Londoners could expect an increase in officers on the street in the coming days.
A “Reclaim These Streets” vigil has been organized via Facebook on Saturday at 6pm in Clapham Common, a green space that Everard walked around 9pm as he headed home to Brixton.
It is unclear whether the event can be carried out legally, given the current Covid-19 restrictions in the UK that ban public meetings. Organizers have said the police have reversed the position and would not allow it to take place, a move they are challenging in court.