Man bailed after rape arrest in Sheffield student death investigation

The 31-year-old was detained yesterday on suspicion of rape following the discovery of Miss Everest’s body in a river at the bottom of Ecclesall Road in the city on Tuesday morning.

Police today said the cause of the 18-year-old’s death had still to be determined.

Sheffield Hallam University student Miss Everest was reported missing after leaving the Corporation nightclub in Sheffield city centre in the early hours of Sunday.

The senior investigating officer on the case, Det Chief Insp Victoria Short, said: “I would like to say thank you on behalf of Caroline’s family and South Yorkshire Police to the overwhelming public response we have had throughout the investigation so far.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for Caroline’s family and I would ask that the media respect their privacy.

“The investigation is still ongoing and we are urging anyone who saw Caroline on the night she disappeared to come forward.

“Her picture has been widely circulated and if you saw her on that night please get in touch.

“Any information, no matter how small, could help us piece together her final steps to bring some closure to her family.”

Anyone with information is asked to call South Yorkshire Police via the force’s 101 number, quoting incident reference 998 of November 22.

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In the aftermath of the tragedy, and as searches continued for 29-year-old Rory Johnson in the River Ouse in York, drowning prevention charity the Royal Life Saving Society issued a warning about the dangers of winter weather.

Director of Volunteer and Community Education, Mike Dunn, said: “Drowning is not just a tragic outcome of accidents during hot, summer weather – winter weather can be extremely deadly.

“Around 400 people needlessly die from drowning in the UK and thousands more suffer injury, some life-changing, through near-drowning experiences. Around a quarter of all UK drownings are within the winter period.”

Jackie Roberts, the mother of York St John University student Megan Roberts, has been campaigning to improve river safety since her 20-year-old daughter drowned in the Ouse when walking home after a night out in January 2014.

She said: “I am absolutely heartbroken for the family of Caroline Everest. It’s a particularly bad time of the year with water levels high and cold dark nights.

“I feel for Rory’s family also as they wait to hear news. Please be extra careful if you’re going out and stick with your friends.”

Miss Everest’s body was found in an area about half-a-mile from the Corporation club in an area of offices, flats and car showrooms between the city centre and one of the main student residential areas.

A number of floral tributes were laid at the police cordon on Ecclesall Road.

One note read: “RIP Caroline. Such a sweet, lovely girl, you will be missed by so many people. Sleep tight.”

Friends took to Facebook to pay tribute to Miss Everest, describing her as “mature” and “responsible”.

Sammiie May wrote: “Can’t believe this, it’s not true, it can’t be, it’s not fair. She had a heart of gold this lass, she loved her family with every inch of her body.”

Sam Deloughry said: “She was such a lovely girl, she was always the responsible one.”

Sheffield Hallam University said it was offering support to students and staff following Miss Everest’s death.

A spokeswoman said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear that South Yorkshire Police have today found a body that they believe to be Caroline Everest.

“Our thoughts at this time are with Caroline’s family and close friends.”

Miss Everest’s death is the second tragedy to hit the university since the start of the academic year.

In September, 18-year-old biomedical sciences student Abigail Hall was found dead in halls of residence in Shoreham Street in the city in circumstances that were not believed to be suspicious.

In recent years, there have been a spate of student deaths in rivers across the UK following nights out.

Two students died in the River Avon in Bath in 2011 and 2014, while three Durham University students died in the River Wear in just over a year.

Newcastle University student Jason Fyles was found in the River Tyne after a night out drinking with friends in 2013.