Police confirm Human remains found in kent woods are those of missing Sarah Everard

A Body found in Ashford Kent woods has been confirmed by Scotland Yard to be that of Sarah Everard, who disappeared as she walked home in south London last week.

The body was found in a builders bag in Ashford woodland, 50 miles from where the woman had gone missing.

“The investigation continues at a pace and we have hundreds of officers working round the clock to establish the full circumstances of Sarah’s disappearance and her murder.”

Serving PC Wayne Couzens 48, was originally arrested for kidnapping and later re-arrested for murder and is currently in custody being questioned.

Questions have been raised by the police watchdog about the handling of a previous indecent exposure incident twicw in the same day at a takeaway in south London 3 days beforehand.

The IOPC said in a statement: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct has started an independent investigation into whether Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers responded appropriately to a report of indecent exposure.

“The IOPC’s investigation follows a conduct referral from the MPS in relation to two officers, received last night (Wednesday), which is linked to four other referrals.

“They are all connected to the arrest of a serving MPS officer on suspicion of kidnap, murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure.”

Family of Sarah Everard pay tribute to their “wonderful daughter and sister”

“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.

“We are so grateful to the police and would like to thank them for all they are doing. We are now pleading for additional help from the public.

“Please come forward and speak to the police if you have any information. No piece of information is too insignificant. Thank you.”