Last week, Sarah Everard (33) disappeared while on her way home to her home in the London borough of Brixton after visiting a friend.
A 48-year-old police officer is now formally charged and remanded in custody for abducting and killing 33-year-old Everard.
At a court hearing in London today, the custody of the policeman was extended. It was the first time the policeman appeared in court after being arrested and charged.
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He gave no explanation to the court, and the only time he spoke was to confirm his name, date of birth and address, according to the Press Association, a British news agency.
– She was loved
Everard worked in marketing, and is a former student at the University of Durham.
– As a student, she was loved. She was a popular and lively part of the university community and remained part of a large group of friends from the university, says Vice Chancellor Stuart Corbridge in a statement.
Friends of Everard have in a short time mobilized a large number of residents in London under the slogan “reclaim these streets”, ie “take these streets back”.
A large number of memorial ceremonies were actually planned today, but these have been canceled due to coronary restrictions.
Instead, a large fundraiser has been launched in memory of Everard. The goal is to raise 320,000 pounds, over 3.7 million kroner. The organizer’s goal is to raise £ 10,000 for each of the 32 planned memorial ceremonies which have now been canceled.
The money will go in full to charitable causes that promote women.
Police officer suspected of murder
Found remains
Earlier this week was remains of a dead person found in Kent, southeast of London. At the same time, the police went out and said that they had arrested one of their own, suspected of having taken part in the crime.
Yesterday, police confirmed that the remains belonged to 33-year-old Everard.
The case has received massive attention in the British press, not least because of who the suspected perpetrator is – a police officer.
The imprisonment of the policeman has been extended to over the weekend, until 16 March. He must appear in court again on Tuesday.
Protected diplomats
The 48-year-old policeman was employed by the London police, and started working in 2018. Until 2020, he was part of a police patrol that worked in the London borough of Bromley.
In February 2020, he was transferred to the London Police Department of Parliamentary and Diplomatic Security. In this job, the 48-year-old was part of the security program outside a number of consulates and embassies in the UK capital.
The arrest has also affected London police, police chief Cressida Dick said yesterday, according to the BBC.
– The arrest has sent shock waves throughout the population and also the London police. I speak on behalf of all my colleagues in the London Police when I say that we are completely appalled by this terrible news, Dick said, adding:
– Our job is to patrol the streets and protect the inhabitants.
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