Sarah Everard was a 33-year-old marketing executive who was abducted, raped, and murdered by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021. Couzens used his police identification and handcuffs to falsely arrest her, claiming she had breached COVID-19 restrictions, and coerced her into his car. He then drove her to Kent, where he raped and strangled her before burning her body and disposing of the remains in a wooded area. Couzens was arrested soon after and pleaded guilty to the kidnap, rape, and murder. He was sentenced to a whole-life term, reflecting the premeditated, violent nature of the crime and the betrayal of trust given his position as a police officer. The case sparked national outrage and discussions about violence against women and police accountability in the UK.
