The search for the suspect behind the Clapham chemical attack, Abdul Ezedi, took a grim turn when a body was found in the River Thames in London. Marine police teams had been meticulously searching for Ezedi, who had been accused of throwing a strong alkali on his ex-partner and her daughters, aged three and eight. The discovery of the body was reported by the crew of a passing boat at Tower Pier EC3 at 4pm on Monday. Despite the challenges posed by the river’s current, the Met’s Marine Policing Unit was able to recover the body, which detectives believe to be that of Ezedi.
The Belief and Formal Identification
Commander Jon Savell expressed his strong belief that the recovered body was indeed that of Ezedi. The distinctive clothing he was wearing at the time of the attack, as well as other personal property found on his body, led investigators to this conclusion. However, due to the time spent in the strong current of the Thames, formal identification was not visually possible. The police indicated that they would explore other methods, such as DNA testing and dental records, to complete the identification process.
The investigation into the chemical attack had intensified after Ezedi’s suspected involvement. The attack involved the throwing of a corrosive alkaline substance that not only injured his ex-partner and her daughters but also harmed police officers and neighbors who came to their aid. The nationwide manhunt for Ezedi began, with CCTV footage placing him near Chelsea Bridge just hours after the attack. Despite the efforts to locate him, the police had previously cautioned that finding his body in the fast currents of the Thames might be challenging.
While the condition of the woman injured in the attack has shown signs of improvement, she remains in the hospital in a stable condition and is no longer sedated. However, investigators have not yet been able to speak to her directly, as they await her full recovery. Mr. Savell expressed hope that they would be able to communicate with her soon. The investigation has also revealed that Ezedi and the woman had been in a previous relationship that ended, leading police to consider it a possible motive for the attack.
The Tragic Past of Abdul Ezedi
Ezedi, a 35-year-old who had been living in Newcastle, had successfully applied for asylum in the UK despite having a criminal record for a sexual offense. His past, coupled with the events surrounding the chemical attack and his subsequent disappearance, paint a tragic picture of a man whose actions led to devastating consequences for his former partner and her children. The investigation into the attack continues, even as the authorities come to terms with the tragic end of the search for Abdul Ezedi.