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UK chemical attack suspect's body 'found in Thames'

By AAP Newswire

Feb 21, 2024

Commander Jon Savell says police believe Abdul Ezedi's body has been found in the Thames. -AP

London police say they believe they have recovered from the River Thames the body of a man suspected of injuring several people last month by throwing a corrosive chemical on them.

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A manhunt was launched for Abdul Ezedi after a woman and her two daughters, aged eight and three, were attacked on January 31 in Clapham, south London, in a "horrific" incident which left the mother with life-changing injuries.

London's Metropolitan Police, who earlier this month said that based on CCTV footage Ezedi was presumed to have drowned in the Thames, said a body was seen near Tower Pier on Monday afternoon and was recovered by the Marine Policing Unit.

"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," Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said in a statement.

"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."

The case drew political attention in the United Kingdom because Ezedi had been granted asylum after a sexual assault conviction.

The BBC said he was originally from Afghanistan and had arrived in 2016.

Police said their inquiries into the attack continued, and the 31-year-old woman was now in a stable condition in hospital.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press