‘Human remains’ found in search for missing Sarah Everard after serving cop arrested

A body has been found in the search for missing Sarah Everard who disappeared while walking home in south London a week ago, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

The 33-year-old’s disappearance after leaving a friend’s house in Clapham, south-west London, sparked a frantic search to locate her with flats cordoned off in Tulse Hill, South London on Tuesday before sites in Kent were searched on Wednesday.

The tragic update was confirmed by the force’s Commissioner outside Scotland Yard on Wednesday evening.

She confirmed the discovery was made in woodlands near Ashford in Kent.

Ms Everard’s disappearance in “awful and wicked circumstances” are every family’s nightmare, Ms Dick said.

She said Londoners should know that it is “thankfully incredibly rare” for a woman to be abducted from the capital’s streets.

The commissioner added her thoughts are with Ms Everard’s family.

The Met is not yet able to confirm an identity and Ms Dick added that such an ID “may take some considerable time”.

The commissioner went on to say: “The news today that it was a Metropolitan Police officer who was arrested on suspicion of Sarah’s murder has sent shockwaves and anger through the public and through the Met.

“I speak on behalf of all my colleagues when I say that we are utterly appalled at this dreadful, dreadful news.

“Our job is to patrol the streets and to protect people.”

The investigation has seen a serving Metropolitan officer arrested on suspicion of kidnap, murder and indecent exposure in connection with the case, with Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave describing it as a “serious and significant” development.

Following the arrest police searched a home and woodland in Kent. A woman is also being held on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The officer was not on duty at the time when Sarah went missing.

Commissioner Dick finished her statement with a message to the public.

She said: “I completely understand that women in London and the wider public – particularly those in the area where Sarah went missing – will be worried and may well be feeling scared.

“You should expect to see continued high levels of police patrols in that area as well as very significant investigative activity.

P”lease report any concerns you may have to us.

“We have been so impressed, and thankful for the public support for the investigation and for sharing our appeals for information and of course we are deeply grateful to the many people who have come forward to assist us.

“Again my thoughts are with Sarah, her family and her loved ones.”