Disgraced ex-Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens' former marital home has been listed for sale with an asking price of £280,000, the Daily Mail reports. Couzens, 52, who is serving a whole life sentence for the heinous 2021 kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard, lived in the property with his wife Olena and their two children for five years. The house, located in Deal, Kent, was purchased in 2016 for £200,000 with a mortgage through NatWest Bank.
The Crime That Shook the Nation
Wayne Couzens gained national infamy after posing as an officer conducting a fake COVID-19 patrol to abduct Sarah Everard, 33, as she walked home through Clapham Common. Tragically, her remains were discovered in a remote woodland area near Ashford days after Couzens carried out the brutal murder. His arrest at his family home left Olena and their children in disbelief.
Property Details and Market Struggles
The three-bedroom terraced house is described by estate agents as an "ideal family home," featuring spacious interiors, a modern kitchen, a well-maintained bathroom, and a sizeable rear garden. Notably, the garden includes a hot tub that Couzens built, although this feature is not explicitly mentioned in the home listing.
The property initially hit the market earlier this year for £300,000 but failed to attract buyers, prompting a £20,000 price reduction. Despite its proximity to schools, amenities, and the train station, the home's connection to such a high-profile crime may be deterring interest.
Life After Arrest for the Couzens Family
Olena, originally from Ukraine, has been described by neighbors as "warm and friendly" though she has kept a low profile since her husband's arrest. Seen frequently walking the family's two French bulldogs, Napoleon and Josephine, Olena has publicly expressed her shock and disbelief over her husband's crimes. She once remarked, "If I had any idea what was going on in Wayne's head, none of this would've happened. I'm just as puzzled as everyone else."
Olena reportedly visited Couzens in prison shortly after his arrest, during which he expressed remorse. However, it is unclear if she has maintained contact or filed for divorce since then.
Controversy Over Prison Treatment Costs
Earlier this year, Couzens made headlines again when taxpayers funded a £17,000 back surgery for him at HMP Frankland. The expense provoked criticism from Tory Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick, who emphasized that Couzens, a "despicable criminal," deserves no special treatment.
The Couzens family's ordeal serves as a grim reminder of how a single individual's actions can leave a profound and lasting impact on their loved ones and society at large.
