New images of Sarah Everard have been released as part of a new BBC documentary. The marketing assistant was walking home in South London when she was abducted, raped and murdered by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021. Detectives found out that Couzens was a suspected indecent exposure offender and a serving Metropolitan Police Officer. Det Ch Insp Katherine Goodwin tells of the “shock” of telling her boss when she found out that killer Wayne Couzens was a police officer.
It is being shown days after the third anniversary of Ms Everard’s death. This documentary, called Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice, interviews the detective who led the investigation into her murder, Katherine Goodwin. This is the first time Det Ch Insp Goodwin has spoken on camera about the case. The documentary describes Ms Everard’s murder as “a watershed moment” for the nation as it has put a spotlight on violence against women and girls.
The detective recounts how officers had traced a name linked to a car seen in CCTV footage. The footage showed a man standing with Ms Everard next to a vehicle in Clapham, where she had been walking. Detectives then found out he was suspected of indecent exposure. Det Ch Insp Goodwin sent a team to Couzens’ house in Kent to question him and, while officers were en route, a detective ran into her office, shut the door, and told her “you need to hear this”.
Nick Harvey, a former Met detective, was on his way to Couzens’ house when he discovered the suspect was an officer. He describes the moment as “the gravity of the whole situation then became incredibly clear” and “the moment I told the team, it just went silent.” Footage then shows Couzens being arrested on suspicion of kidnap in his living room, and Mr Harvey questioning him. The documentary also revealed a passing vehicle’s “really significant witness” who saw Couzens handcuffing Ms Everard at the side of the road.
The last week inquiry chaired by Lady Elish Angiolini said Chances were missed to stop the sexual predator repeatedly. Lady Angiolini said “Without a significant overhaul, there is nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight.” The documentary will be available to viewers in the UK on BBC iPlayer from 06:00 GMT or on BBC One from 21:00GMT on Tuesday 5 March
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More