Sarah Everard: 33-year-old's body found in large bag, court hears as police officer remanded into custody
Sarah Everard vanished while walking home from her friend's house - police officer Wayne Couzens has been charged with murder.
Saturday 13 March 2021 18:19, UK
Sarah Everard's body was identified by her dental records after it was found in a large bag similar to ones used by builders to transport heavy loads, a court has heard.
.The details came at the initial hearing for a Metropolitan Police officer accused of the kidnap and murder of the 33-year-old marketing executive.
Wayne Couzens appeared in person before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday following his arrest on Tuesday.
The 48-year-old was remanded in custody and the case will next be heard at the Old Bailey on 16 March.
He wore a grey tracksuit and stood as the charges were read.
Couzens is charged with kidnapping and killing Ms Everard, who went missing while walking from the nearby Clapham Junction area to her home in Brixton.
Ms Everard, originally from York, had left her friend's house in Leathwaite Road around 9pm on 3 March.
The last known sighting of Ms Everard was captured on a doorbell camera just after 9.30pm showing her walking alone toward Tulse Hill.
Her body was found in woodland near Ashford, Kent, a week later.
Yesterday, Couzens was taken to hospital for the second time in 48 hours for treatment on a fresh head injury sustained in custody.
He was previously treated in hospital for a separate head wound on Thursday, also sustained in custody.
In an earlier statement announcing the charges against Couzens, the Met revealed his previous employment history in the force in the "interests of clarity".
He joined the force in September 2018, when he worked with a response team that covered Bromley.
He was later posted to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in February 2020.
Here, Couzens is said to have been mostly sent on uniformed patrol duties of diplomatic premises, including a range of embassies.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Friday, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave paid tribute to Ms Everard's family and friends for their "fortitude and forbearance through what can only have been the most intensely difficult few days".
He added: "Our thoughts remain with them as this matter progresses."
Ms Everard's death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the public, with many women and girls sharing stories online of their own traumatic experiences.
A vigil planned by Reclaim These Streets in Clapham on Saturday evening has been cancelled following discussions with police.
Organisers instead encouraged people to shine a light on their doorstep at 9.30pm.