A serving Met police officer has been charged with the kidnap and murder of marketing executive Sarah Everard.
Serving police constable Wayne Couzens was charged on Friday evening with kidnapping and killing the 33-year-old marketing executive. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on March 16th.
The Met said Couzens was taken into hospital for a fresh head injury sustained in custody on Friday before being discharged and returned to a police station.
Everard vanished while walking home from a friend’s flat in south London on Wednesday March 3.
The 33-year-old is thought to have walked through Clapham Common towards her house in Brixton – a journey which should have taken around 50 minutes.
She was last captured on a doorbell camera walking along the A205 Poynders Road towards Tulse Hill at around 9.30pm on March 3.
Her remains - found inside a large builder’s bag - were discovered in woodland in Ashford, Kent, on Wednesday. She was identified using dental records.
In a statement, Rosemary Ainslie, head of special crime at the CPS, said: “Following a referral of evidence by the Metropolitan Police related to the death of Sarah Everard, the CPS has authorised the police to charge Wayne Couzens with murder and kidnapping.”
Speaking outside Scotland Yard, Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Nick Ephgrave said: “Sarah’s family of course have been informed of this development and remain supported by specialist officers.
“I would like at this stage to pay tribute to Sarah’s family for their fortitude and forbearance through what can only have been the most intensely difficult few days.
“Our thoughts remain with them as this matter progresses.
“The investigation continues of course supported by hundreds of officers from across the Met as well as colleagues in Kent Police.
“I would also like to thank at this stage all members of the public who have come forward with information or support for the investigation and would use this opportunity to encourage anyone who thinks they might have useful information to give to get in contact with us.”