The family of Sarah Everard have released a statement telling how their lives have changed forever as they live with the sadness of their loss
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How events in the Sarah Everard case unfolded
The grieving family of Sarah Everard have said they “miss her all the time” in a heartbreaking tribute one year on from her murder.
Sarah, a 33-year-old marketing executive, went missing in Clapham, South London, after visiting a friend on March 3, 2021.
Her disappearance sparked a massive search and nationwide campaign to find her before she was tragically found dead in Kent woodland.
Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens was jailed for life last year after pleading guilty to Sarah’s kidnap, rape and murder.
Sarah’s family said their lives changed forever as they are forced to live with the deep sadness of their loss.
In a statement, one year on from her death, her family today said: “It is a year since Sarah died and we remember her today, as every day, with all our love.
“Our lives have changed forever and we live with the sadness of our loss. Sarah was wonderful and we miss her all the time.
The family of Sarah Everard have released a heartbreaking statement
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Image:
PA)
Police released this CCTV image of her from the night she went missing
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Image:
PA)
“Over the past year we have been overwhelmed with the kindness shown to us, not just by family and friends, but by the wider public.
“We are immensely grateful to everyone for their support, it has meant such a lot to us and has comforted us through this terrible time.
“Sadly, Sarah is not the only woman to have lost her life recently in violent circumstances and we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to other families who are also grieving.”
Sarah went missing before being found dead
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METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Gett)
Sadiq Khan, in a statement to mark the first anniversary of Sarah Everard’s murder, said he wanted every woman and girl to feel safe on the capital’s streets.
The Mayor of London said: “My thoughts today are with Sarah Everard’s family, friends and all those who knew her.
“Today we remember the young woman that Sarah was, and the life that she lived. She was a vibrant, talented, intelligent young woman, who was loved deeply by her family and friends.
“Sarah’s murder left the nation in shock, and sparked a national outcry about the way our society treats women and girls.
“I am clear, we cannot simply respond to male violence against women and girls – we must prevent it. I want every women and girl to be safe, and to feel safe – whatever the time of day and wherever they are in the capital.
Sarah went missing on March 3 last year
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Missing People)
“I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure that ending violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency both by our police, and society as a whole.”
The case of Sarah Everard publicly highlighted the risks faced by women in the UK.
She was abducted, raped and murdered by a man society was meant to trust – leading to national outrage and protests across the UK raising questions about the safety of women.
Concerns over the safety of women as they go about their daily business, as anyone should be able to, became the loudest they have ever been.
Women feel they are still not safe enough to walk down their own street under the cover of darkness, when there is CCTV watching our every move.
Couzens even used his knowledge of policing to facilitate the horror that was Sarah’s murder, handcuffing and “arresting” her in a fake Covid patrol before driving her 80 miles away to rape and kill her.
She thought she was safe with an officer with his own warrant.
Former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens
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After a body was found in the search for Sarah, her devastated family said in a tribute: “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.”
Wayne Couzens (right) and Sarah Everard beside a vehicle outside Poynders Court on Poynders Road, Clapham, south London
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Image:
PA)
Today, the Met Police released a statement saying: “Our thoughts are with Sarah Everard’s family and loved ones.
” One year on we remain deeply disgusted and shamed that a Met police officer was responsible for Sarah’s appalling murder.”
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https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-sarah-everards-grieving-family-26373271
