Sarah Everard: London police officer ‘may have used warrant card to entice 33-year-old into car’

The body of a woman has been found in a rural town and a police officer arrested. Now investigators have put forward a chilling new theory. 

Police are investigating whether a top gun cop used his warrant card to entice Sarah ­Everard into a car out of the view of cameras.

London PC Wayne Couzens, 48, is being held on suspicion of her abduction and murder.

The dramatic development came as Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said human remains had been found in woods — but did not confirm that they belonged to marketing executive Sarah, 33.

Dame Cressida said: “We are not able to confirm any identity. That may take some considerable time.

“The news it was a Met Police officer arrested on suspicion of Sarah’s murder has sent shockwaves and anger through the public and the Met. I speak on behalf of all our colleagues when I say we are utterly appalled.”

Sarah’s family were earlier said to be “absolutely distraught” over the officer’s arrest but holding out hope for her safe recovery.

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.

Police do not believe PC Couzens had ever met Sarah previously.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick reporters at a media conference that detectives and search teams investigating Sarah's disappearance have found what appeared to be human remains.

"The discovery was made in an area of woodland in Ashford, in Kent. As you can imagine, at this early stage, we are not able to confirm any identity. And indeed, that may take us some considerable time.

"Specialist officers have been with Sarah to update them on the investigation and to continue to give them the best support we possibly can.

"The news it was a Met Police officer arrested on suspicion of Sarah's murder has sent shockwaves and anger through the public and the Met. I speak on behalf of all our colleagues when I say we are utterly appalled."

She said the circumstances of Ms Everard's disappearance were "awful and wicked".

Wayne Couzens, a 48-year-old father of two and a diplomatic protection officer, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping at his home in Deal, Kent last night. He has since been re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

Wayne Couzens. Picture: Facebook

Police also arrested a woman at the same location on suspicion of "assisting an offender".

Mr Couzens' primary job was to perform uniformed patrols. The Sun reports his work saw him provide protection at "major public events attended by senior members of the royal family".

Ms Everard was last seen a week ago, on Wednesday night, when a camera captured her walking home from her friend's house in southwest London at about 9:30pm. The 33-year-old was en route to her flat in a nearby residential district, Brixton, but never arrived.

Her family said her disappearance was "totally out of character" and her phone was not ringing when called.

Police launched a large scale search operation, and appealed to the public for help.

RELATED: 'Deeply disturbing' arrest over woman's disappearance

A CCTV image of Sarah Everard on the night she disappeared.

In a statement earlier today, the Met announced Mr Couzens had been arrested again on suspicion of murder, as well as an unrelated allegation of indecent exposure. 

"A man arrested in connection with the disappearance of Sarah Everard remains in custody at a London police station," the police said.

"The man, who is aged in his 40s, was arrested on the evening of March 9 on suspicion of kidnap. Today he has been further arrested on suspicion of murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure.

"The man is a serving Metropolitan Police officer in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. His primary role was uniformed patrol duties of diplomatic premises.

"A woman, who is aged in her 30s, was also arrested on the evening of March 9 on suspicion of assisting the offender. She remains in custody.

"Officers are searching locations in London and Kent including a property in Deal and an area of woodland near Ashford.

"Following the arrest of the police officer, the Metropolitan Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."

Police at the property in Deal. Picture: Getty Images/Leon Neal

Speaking to reporters this morning, Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said the suspect was believed not to have been on duty at the time of Ms Everard's disappearance.

"This is a serious and significant development in our search for Sarah," he said of the two arrests.

"And the fact that the man who's been arrested is a serving officer is both shocking and deeply disturbing. I recognise the significant concern this will cause.

"It's really important that the investigation team are given time to find Sarah, and they are working at all speed to do so.

"I would also like to thank all members of the public who've come forward since we made our appeal to give information. Every piece of information is important to us, and I would reissue that request now, that anyone who thinks they may know anything about Sarah's disappearance please come forward.

"As a father myself, of four young women, I can only imagine the anguish that Sarah's family are feeling at this very, very difficult time. My thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire organisation, are with them now."

Ms Everard's cousin Tom also appealed for the public to come forward with any information.

"We have to believe Sarah will still be found and brought back safely," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave has given a statement on the latest in the disappearance of #SarahEverard.

We urge you to continue checking door and dash cam footage, no piece of information is too small.

If you have any information call the incident room on 0208 785 8244. pic.twitter.com/AiupqzGBXO

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 10, 2021

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a statement saying "all of our thoughts" are with Ms Everard's family and friends.

“It must be awful for them, they are in our thoughts and prayers. Actually Sarah went missing from near to where I live and we’ve seen, my wife and daughters walking around, the posters her friends have put up and it’s heart-breaking, it’s heart-wrenching," Mr Khan said.

“It is now in the public domain that a serving Met Police officer has been arrested.

“One of the things that this confirms that actually our police service, when it comes to keeping the public safe, when it comes to investigating crime, they work in a situation that is without fear or favour. They will follow the investigation to wherever it takes.”