Body recovered from Thames by police investigating chemical attack

Detectives investigating a chemical attack in south west London believe the body of their main suspect has been recovered from the River Thames

35 year old Abdul Ezedi, hasn't been seen since the corrosive liquid was thrown over a mother and her two daughters in Clapham last month.

Scotland Yard said the crew of a passing boat reported they had seen a body in the water at Tower Pier, in central London, at around 4pm on Monday.

The body was recovered by the Met's Marine Policing Unit and detectives "strongly believe" it is Ezedi due to the distinctive clothing he was wearing.

Police earlier said they believed Ezedi went into the River Thames at Chelsea Bridge, some four hours after the attack on Wednesday January 31.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said:

"Based on the distinctive clothing he was wearing at the time of the attack and property found on his body, we strongly believe we have recovered the body of Ezedi.

"We have been in contact with his family to pass on the news.

"As you may expect after a considerable period of time in the strong current of the Thames, formal identification is not possible visually, nor from fingerprints.

"We will work with the coroner on other ways to complete formal identification, such as DNA testing and dental records. That may take some time.

"Our inquiries continue into the attack. I am pleased to say the condition of the 31-year-old woman has improved. She remains in hospital but she is in a stable condition and no longer sedated. We have still not been able to speak to her but hope to as soon as she is well enough.

"Again, I thank all those hundreds of members of the public who called us with information during the hunt for Ezedi. The public support for our investigation was overwhelming and every piece of information provided was followed up."

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