The family of Sarah Everard today (11 March) described her as a “shining example” who was “kind and strong” as they repeated their appeal for anyone with information to help detectives.
Formal identification is still awaited, but in a statement the family issued by the Metropolitan police, the family said: “Our beautiful daughter Sarah was taken from us and we are appealing for any information that will help to solve this terrible crime.
“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.”
A serving Metropolitan police officer arrested on suspicion of the kidnap and murder of Sarah has been further detained in custody at a London police station.
An application to extend his detention was granted at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
The man was arrested on the evening of Tuesday, 9 March.
A woman aged in her 30s, who was arrested at the same time on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released on bail to return to a police station on a date in mid-April.
Police said that Sarah’s family had been informed of these developments and that specialist officers are supporting them. Support is also being provided to Sarah’s many friends.
The Metropolitan Police said later on 11 March that it had made two referrals, one mandatory and one voluntary, to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the police watchdog, that are linked to the conduct of the officer arrested on suspicion of kidnap, murder and indecent exposure.
The IOPC has decided both should be locally investigated by the Met.
The Met also made a mandatory referral to the IOPC about actions by police after Sarah Everard was reported missing. It said it was awaiting the IOPC’s assessment.
A further voluntary referral was made in relation to the police investigation of separate allegations of indecent exposure. This will be subject to an independent IOPC investigation.
Another mandatory referral to the IOPC was made after the man arrested was taken to a hospital for treatment to a head injury sustained while alone a cell. The Met said he was being monitored by CCTV and received immediate first aid.
