Every parent’s nightmare: Suspect released but no answers over death of Sheffield student Caroline Everest

South Yorkshire Police arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of rape in the days after the death of Sheffield Hallam student Caroline Everest, but now say he has been released and no further action will be taken against him.

Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to her death but through the use of CCTV have “been able to rule out that her death was caused by the actions of another person”.

Miss Everest, known as Carrie by her family and friends, was discovered in a river in Summerfield Street on November 24. She was reported missing after leaving the Corporation nightclub in Sheffield city centre in the early hours of Sunday.

Her family today released new photographs of the student as well as a statement, in which they give thanks for the ‘overwhelming’ support of others since the death of their ‘little star.’

They said: “We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for all the tremendous support we have received during this difficult time. It has been fundamentally every parent’s nightmare.

“Carrie was a thoughtful girl and she cared deeply about her friends and family. She tried so hard to organise her life and the things she wanted to do. She was a young woman with such a strong appetite for living and participating in everything she did.

“Her friends, colleagues, fellow students, all appreciated her willingness to help others, to do everything she could do to make a difference.

“Carrie began dancing with the City Limits dance centre when she was four years old. She loved every style of dance; Latin, ballroom, freestyle, ballet, tap, and most recently had been training for Competition Ballroom.

She thoroughly enjoyed the performances, shows and exams. This was also evident in her enthusiastic involvement in the Walkley Ebenezer Amateur Dramatics Society annual pantomime, which she had been involved in for the last five years.

“Carrie made an impact on everyone she had ever met. From nursery to Walkley Primary and Junior School, King Edward VII to City College and finally to Sheffield Hallam University.

“Her persistence in trying to find part-time work was phenomenal – first volunteering at Dr Barnardo’s charity shop, which then gave her the retail experience she needed to secure a part-time post with B&M stores. Everywhere Carrie went, her colleagues, managers and friends were all full of admiration for her.

“The response to her death – the cards, messages and memories people have shared with us has been overwhelming and her friends on social media have been a great comfort to us in our hour of need.

“For her mum and dad, for her brother and sister, for the extended family of which she was so integral a part, there is a deep sense of loss that is so very, very painful.

“Caroline gave us so much pleasure and she was so loved, so treasured, that we will carry her memory with us every minute of every day for the rest of our lives. Carrie was a very precious young woman, enthusiastic and caring, loving and genuine.

She was always thinking of others and how she could help them. Her radiant smile, marvellous sense of humour and warm-hearted nature made her the perfect daughter, a girl who had so much to give and so much to live for.

“She is now dancing through eternity. Fly high little star.”

Anyone with information about Miss Everest’s death should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 998 of 22 November 2015.