The statement by police investigating Sarah Everard’s disappearance that a suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder will come as a huge blow to friends and family who had hoped she would return home safely.
Those close to the 33-year-old who went missing last Wednesday have been working relentlessly since she vanished to publicise her case, desperately calling for anyone with evidence to come forward.
Earlier on Wednesday, Everard’s cousin Tom told the Mirror the family was hopeful the arrests would lead to Everard being found safe and coming home to them. Police have said they “really hope” she is still alive.
Her uncle Nick Everard told Sky News the family was “distraught” following the arrest of a police officer. He said “things are utterly dire”, but they were hoping and “waiting for positive news”.
A serving Metropolitan police officer was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Sarah Everard on Tuesday evening at an address in Kent on suspicion of kidnapping. He serves in a unit guarding diplomatic premises.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Met announced that the officer, in his 40s, had been arrested for suspected kidnap and murder. He has been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure related to a second person.
The news comes after days of campaigning from friends and family to find Everard. Her partner, Josh Lowth – who spoke to her for 15 minutes during her walk home – made a plea on social media on 8 March. He said: “Sarah is still missing. Please share this post to help us to find her. Today, more than ever, we miss our strong, beautiful friend.”
Everard studied geography at Durham University from 2005 to 2008. She most recently worked as a freelance group account director at Flipside Group. On her LinkedIn profile, she says that she is a “positive presence” who is “always wanting to learn” with a “caring attitude for my work and team”.
Many of her friends have changed their profile pictures on social media to “Find Sarah Everard”. They have also shared an illustration from artist Charlie Mackesy, which says: “Please help find Sarah Everard.”
A Facebook post at the start of the week by one of her friends read: “Another plea for help to find my dear friend Sarah Everard who has been missing for four nights now after walking home alone between Clapham and Brixton.”
The marketing executive went missing while walking to her home in Brixton from the nearby Clapham Junction area on Wednesday 3 March. She had been at a friend’s house when she left the property, in Leathwaite Road, around 9pm.
Anyone who has information that may assist the investigation should call the incident room on 020-8785 8244.
