A serving Diplomatic Protection Officer with the Metropolitan Police has tonight been charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.
Wayne Couzens, 48, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the disappearance of Miss Everard, 33, and has since remained in custody in London. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
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.’
Miss Everard vanished on March 3 after leaving a friend’s house in Clapham, south London at 9pm and walking towards her home in Brixton.
She was last seen on a doorbell camera at the junction of Poynders Road and Cavendish Road at 9.30pm after crossing through Clapham Common.
On her way home, Miss Everard had spoken to her boyfriend Josh Lowth, 33, on the telephone and arranged to meet the next day. She was reported missing after friends and family were unable to reach her.
The heartbroken family of Miss Everard yesterday paid tribute to the marketing executive, describing her as a ‘shining example to us all’.
They faced further devastation today after human remains found in Hoad’s Wood in Ashford, Kent, two days earlier were confirmed to be Sarah.