Sarah Everard disappearance: Suspect was reported for ‘indecent exposure’ four days before she vanished

It has been revealed that the officer arrested on suspicion of murdering Sarah Everard was reported to police just four days before she vanished.

The main suspect in the disappearance of British woman Sarah Everard was reported to police for alleged indecent exposure four days before she vanished.

According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), police received a report on February 28 that a man “had exposed himself at a fast food restaurant in south London”.

The IOPC has now started an independent investigation into “whether Metropolitan Police officers responded appropriately” to the report.

Ms Everard was last seen four days after that indecent exposure allegation, on the night of Wednesday March 3. A camera captured her walking home from her friend’s house at about 9:30pm, as she was en route to her flat in a nearby residential district, Brixton.

She never arrived.

Wayne Couzens, a 48-year-old father of two and a Metropolitan Police officer, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping on Tuesday in connection with Ms Everard’s disappearance.

He was further arrested on suspicion of both murder and indecent exposure the following day.

Police also arrested a woman at the same location – Mr Couzens’ home in Deal, Kent – on suspicion of “assisting an offender”.

Today, while in police custody, Mr Couzens was found collapsed in his jail cell with serious head injuries. The Sun reports he was rushed to hospital.

He was found injured in his cell at Wandsworth police station in southwest London. He is understood to have been alone, and there is no suggestion that anyone else was involved.

“He was found unconscious in his cell with head injuries,” a source told the paper.

“The custody officers rushed in and gave him immediate first aid and he was taken to hospital.

“It caused a hell of a panic and serious questions are being asked over how it happened.”

RELATED: Why a curfew for men isn’t a bad idea

Wayne Couzens. Picture: Facebook

Last night, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick announced that detectives investigating Ms Everard’s disappearance had found 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’s family 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”.

Officers standing guard around the home of the suspect in Deal, Kent. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

Today, Ms Everard’s family released a statement appealing for more information from the public.

“Our beautiful daughter Sarah was taken from us and we are appealing for any information that will help to solve this terrible crime,” the family said.

“Sarah was bright and beautiful – a wonderful daughter and sister. She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour. She was strong and principled and a shining example to us all. We are very proud of her and she brought so much joy to our lives.

“We would like to thank our friends and family for all their support during this awful time and we would especially like to thank Sarah’s friends who are working tirelessly to help. We are so grateful to the police and would like to thank them for all they are doing. We are now pleading for additional help from the public.

“Please come forward and speak to the police if you have any information. No piece of information is too insignificant. Thank you.”

Sarah Everard. Picture: Metropolitan Police/AFP