The family of missing woman Sarah Everard have described her as a “shining example” who was “kind and strong”.

A police officer remains in custody after having been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering the 33-year-old.

Detectives searching for Ms Everard discovered human remains in Ashford, Kent, yesterday.

While awaiting formal identification, Ms Everard’s family have issued a statement through the Metropolitan Police calling for any witnesses to come forward.

“Our beautiful daughter Sarah was taken from us and we are appealing for any information that will help to solve this terrible crime,” they said.

Describing the 33-year-old as “bright and beautiful” and a “wonderful daughter and sister”, they continued: “She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable.

“She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour.

“She was strong and principled and a shining example to us all. We are very proud of her and she brought so much joy to our lives.”

They also thanked Ms Everard’s friends who had worked “tirelessly” to help search for her, as well as the police.

Pleading for more help from the public, they said: “Please come forward and speak to the police if you have any information. No piece of information is too insignificant.”

Ms Everard, a marketing executive, went missing on the evening of Wednesday 3 March as she walked home to Brixton from a friend’s house in Clapham.

The journey should have taken her about 50 minutes.

She spoke to her boyfriend for about 15 minutes while walking and the phone call ended at 9.28pm. Since then, no one heard anything from her and her last known location was near Clarence Avenue.

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Flowers have been left in tribute to Ms Everard at the site police have been searching, with one note reading: “Sarah, we may be strangers but all I can do is hope it’s not you.

“Our hearts are breaking thinking of your poor family.”

Another said: “Sarah, wherever you are love from Francesca Hughes x x x x x

“Wish I could be there”.

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