A second post-mortem examination is being carried out on Sarah Everard’s body after the first proved inconclusive.

Police said it began at 2pm on Wednesday afternoon at a hospital in Kent.

It comes ahead of an inquest hearing on Thursday.

Ms Everard, 33, disappeared on 3 March while walking back to her home in Brixton, south London, after visiting a friend in nearby Clapham.

Her body was found in woodland near Ashford in Kent a week later, and was identified through dental records.

Serving police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, from Deal, also in Kent, has had a first appearance at the Old Baily charged with her kidnap and murder.

News of the second post-mortem examination came as searches continued in connection with the case, with officers combing areas of woodland in the county.

Large portions of the Kent town of Sandwich have been cordoned off, while specialist divers have been combing a small stretch of water.

On Monday, officers were seen searching a shopping trolley shelter outside a Co-operative supermarket and looking under vehicles.

Scotland Yard said police have also been routinely searching areas of London and Kent as part of the investigation.

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