UK police officer charged with Sarah Everard murder

A British police officer has been charged with the kidnapping and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, whose disappearancelast week has sparked global outrage among women about their safety.

British Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Nick Ephgrave said Friday the investigation is ongoing.

“A serving police constable has tonight been charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard. Wayne Couzens, age 48, has been remanded in custody and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.”

Everard was last seen on the night of March 3 as she walked home from a friend’s house in south London.

On Friday, police identified a body found in a wood near the spot as Everard's,

igniting fear and anger from women across Britain.

British prime minister Boris Johnson said Friday he was “appalled” by the murder.

“The whole country will be united in that feeling for her friends, her family, and we'll share their shock and their grief. And I can see, and I totally understand, why this has triggered such a wave of feeling on this issue, on the issue of safety of women and safety of the streets.”

Women have since flooded social media with tributes to Everard, sharing their own experiences and fears of walking alone at night.

Anna Birley, who organized a vigil for Everard, says women shouldn't be expected to change their behaviour to stay safe.

“For us, it's about standing up to that and saying that spaces should be safe for women and that it's not our behaviour that needs to change, it's not about what we wear, it's not about what time we go out. We can't self-imposed a curfew on ourselves because of our gender. It's about actually raising the issue of violence and harassment of women, and telling men that it's their job to change their behaviour, as well.”