True Crime: The Shocking Murder Of Sarah Everard

Welcome to True Crime Storytime, and thank you for joining us. In this episode, we examine a case that shocked the United Kingdom and sparked a nationwide conversation about safety, trust and policing.

Important: If you don't want to know what happened before listening to our podcast, do not read this description!

In March 2021, 33-year-old Sarah Everard disappeared while walking home in South London. She had spent the evening visiting a friend in Clapham and was travelling on foot towards her home in Brixton. When she failed to arrive, concern quickly grew among her family and friends, and a major police search operation began.

What initially appeared to be a missing person case soon became one of the most disturbing criminal investigations in recent British history. Police inquiries and CCTV evidence led investigators to a serving Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens.

His arrest sent shockwaves through the public, raising deeply troubling questions about trust in authority and the abuse of power.

In this episode, we explore how the investigation unfolded and why the case resonated so strongly across the country.

The disappearance and murder of Sarah Everard prompted widespread public grief and anger, particularly around the issue of women’s safety in public spaces. Vigils were held across the UK, including a large gathering on Clapham Common near where she was last seen.

Wayne Couzens later pleaded guilty to kidnapping, rape and murder. In September 2021 he was sentenced to a whole life order, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Beyond the criminal case itself, the events triggered intense scrutiny of policing standards and vetting procedures within the Metropolitan Police. Independent reviews and official reports followed, examining how Couzens had remained in the force despite previous concerns about his behaviour.

This episode looks at the facts of the case, the investigation that followed and the profound impact Sarah Everard’s death had on public debate across the UK.

Thank you for joining us on True Crime Storytime.