Sarah Everard detectives had breakthrough after CCTV from London bus led to suspect Wayne Couzens’ arrest
DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of Sarah Everard had a breakthrough after CCTV from a London bus was discovered, it was reported today.
Cops launched a frantic investigation for the 33-year-old after she vanished while walking home from Clapham last week – arresting officer Wayne Couzens on Tuesday night on suspicion of kidnap and murder.
Follow our live blog for the latest developments on the case of missing Sarah Everard
And the Telegraph today reported that it was CCTV footage from buses that could have led to a development in the case.
Sarah Everard had been spotted by a doorbell camera on the A205 Poynders Road in Clapham as she walked home – which is a busy bus route.
And in a tragic development in the case, Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick last night said human remains had been found in woods — but did not confirm that they belonged to marketing executive Sarah, 33.
It comes as…
- Police were last night investigating whether Wayne Couzens used his warrant card to entice Sarah into a car
- Sarah’s family said she would never have taken a lift from a stranger
- Human remains were found in woodland in Kent last night as part of the investigation
- Detectives have reportedly found no link between Sarah and Couzens
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the case
It comes after detectives this week arrested Couzens, 48, on suspicion of kidnap and murder.
Cops swooped on Couzens’ home in Deal, Kent, on Tuesday night – a week after Sarah disappeared – bundling the diplomatic protection officer into a car.
Cops moved in on married dad-of-two PC Couzens after a car linked to him was allegedly spotted on a motorist’s dashcam near to where Sarah was last seen on the night of Wednesday, March 3.
But police do not believe PC Couzens had ever met Sarah previously.
Sources told The Times that while detectives were searching social media messages, they had so far not found a link between Couzens and Everard.
The source said there was “so far there is no evidence” of a link but added: “You can’t be 100 per cent certain at this stage but so far it is a leading line of inquiry that Sarah didn’t know whoever attacked her.”
Last night Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she was “utterly appalled” that an officer had been arrested over Sarah’s disappearance as she confirmed human remains had been found in woodlands in Ashford, Kent.
The site where officers found the remains is 30 miles from the Deal home where Couzens was arrested.
The marksman, whose role involves guarding politicians and protecting events attended by senior royals, is believed to have worked a shift in South London that day.
His Ukraine-born wife Elena, 38, who works as a laboratory manager, has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A source said last night: “The working hypothesis is that he saw Sarah on the street for the first time and kidnapped her.
“At this stage it is thought the officer used his warrant card to entice Sarah towards his car.
“One theory is that he may have used the Covid lockdown as a pretext to engage with her and then snatched her.”
PC Couzens is attached to the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) unit normally based at the Palace of Westminster.
Detectives probing Sarah’s suspected murder searched his locker yesterday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the developments in the Sarah Everard investigation”, adding “we must work fast to find all the answers to this horrifying crime”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added: “I am deeply saddened by the developments in the Sarah Everard investigation. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Sarah, her family and friends at this unbearable time.
“Many women have shared their stories and concerns online since Sarah’s disappearance last week. These are so powerful because each and every woman can relate.
“Every woman should feel safe to walk on our streets without fear of harassment or violence.
“At this deeply sad and tragic time as we think and pray for Sarah and her family, I will continue through my role to do all I can to protect women and girls from violence and harassment.”
Most read in News
Sarah had been walking from a friend’s house on Wednesday last week – heading back to her Brixton home.
However, she vanished that night – with police launching a desperate hunt for the 33-year-old.
Following the arrest of the police officer, the Metropolitan Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
