The family of missing Sarah Everard have issued their first official statement through police, describing their daughter as "kind and strong".

The family released a message today via Met Police, although formal identification of the remains found near Ashford, Kent, on Wednesday is yet to take place.

In the message, the family thanked police and appealed for people with any information to come forward.

The full statement reads:

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

“Sarah was bright and beautiful - a wonderful daughter and sister. She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour.

Read more: Sarah Everard murder suspect hospitalised with head wound

News Shopper:

“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.

“We would like to thank our friends and family for all their support during this awful time and we would especially like to thank Sarah’s friends who are working tirelessly to help.

“We are so grateful to the police and would like to thank them for all they are doing. We are now pleading for additional help from the public.

“Please come forward and speak to the police if you have any information. No piece of information is too insignificant. Thank you.”

Read more: Friends and family pay tribute to 'beautiful' Sarah Everard

A man arrested on suspicion of the kidnap and murder of Sarah has been further detained in custody.

The man – a serving Met police officer aged in his 40s – remains in custody at a London police station after an application to extend his detention was granted at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

Met Police confirmed on Thursday he had been temporarily hospitalised with head injuries - unconfirmed reports suggested he had been found unconscious in his cell today, though nobody else was thought to be involved in the incident.

A woman aged in her 30s, who was arrested at the same time on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released on bail to return to a police station on a date in mid-April.