A post-mortem has found Sarah Everard died from compression of the neck, police said.
Marketing executive Sarah, 33, went missing as she walked home from a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, on March 3.
A major police investigation was launched and her body was found a week later in woodland in Ashford.
The Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday: “A post-mortem examination into the death of Sarah Everard held at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford has given cause of death as compression of the neck.
“Sarah’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”
Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, from Deal, has been charged with her kidnap and murder.
A provisional date has been set for his trial later this year.
The 48-year-old appeared via video link from the Category A Belmarsh Prison in south east London for a hearing at the Old Bailey on March 16.
Couzens was seen wearing a light red jumper and grey joggers and appeared to have a wound to his forehead.
He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth at the hearing, before the Recorder of London Judge Mark Lucraft QC.
Prosecutor Tom Little QC told the judge there has been “a significant and wide-ranging investigation” in the case.
