On the solemn five-year anniversary of her daughter's tragic murder, Susan Everard has penned a heartfelt tribute, celebrating the life and spirit of Sarah Everard. Writing for British Vogue, she reflects on Sarah's vibrant personality, describing her as a woman who "added to the beauty of the world" with her humour and principled nature.
A Mother's Loving Memories
Susan Everard shared a poignant photograph of Sarah taken at the V festival in 2010, part of an online street style series. She noted that Sarah "loved clothes and fashion" and was at a "golden time" in her life, having recently graduated and returned from travels in south-east Asia, with plans for future adventures. "Although it is bittersweet, I love to see her, happy and beautiful, with her whole life ahead of her," Susan wrote, capturing the profound loss felt by the family.
Recalling Sarah's Character and Talents
In her tribute, Susan recounted the everyday moments she misses, such as swapping recipes, seeking Sarah's advice, and hearing her laugh. She described Sarah as "thoughtful, dependable and highly principled," someone who "appreciated the absurd but could also be outraged at injustice and bad behaviour." Susan also highlighted Sarah's many talents, particularly her dancing, writing, "Sarah had many talents but, in particular, I like to think of her dancing – she was a beautiful dancer." She emphasised that Sarah was a "loving and caring young woman," with her many friendships serving as a testament to her lovely nature.
The Aftermath and Family Resilience
Susan revealed that she had only seen Sarah's home in Brixton Hill, where Sarah was returning on the night of her abduction on 3 March 2021, via video due to Covid-19 lockdowns. After Sarah's death, when clearing the home with Sarah's father Jeremy, they could "see how cleverly she had styled it and how welcoming she had made her home." The Everard family remains a "close family" of four, navigating the future together while celebrating Sarah's memory and maintaining connections with her friends.
The Crime and Its Impact on Police Trust
Sarah Everard, aged 33, was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by off-duty Metropolitan Police constable Wayne Couzens, who is now serving a whole-life order in prison. It later emerged that Couzens had a history of alleged sexual offending, and failings in the vetting process had allowed him to become a police officer. This case has severely damaged public trust in law enforcement, particularly among women.
Police Response and Ongoing Concerns
Sir Mark Rowley, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, acknowledged in a BBC interview that five years on from the murder, some women still do not trust the police. He stated, "We haven't got to the point where every woman is going to say 'I completely, without question, trust the Met police'. This was a horrific incident, of course that's going to live longer in memory." Rowley added that while progress is being made to "root out" potentially dangerous officers, more work is needed, and the public should expect higher standards.
Systemic Issues and Calls for Action
An official report last year found that a quarter of police forces in England and Wales have yet to implement "basic policies for investigating sexual offences." Women's charities have echoed concerns, with Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women's Aid, stating that Sarah's murder "exposed the entrenched misogyny within the police force, leaving countless women fearful of those who are meant to protect them." She emphasised that while some action has been taken, "significantly more must be done, as the misogyny remains rooted and systemic."
This tribute and the ongoing discussions highlight the deep scars left by Sarah Everard's murder, underscoring the need for continued reform and accountability within policing to restore trust and ensure safety for all women.
