Police searching for Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi find body

The body of a man wanted for a chemical attack on a woman and her children in Clapham is believed to have been recovered from the River Thames.

A body was recovered by the Met’s Marine Policing Unit on Monday, February 19, and is believed to be that of Abdul Ezedi.

Formal identification is yet to take place.

On February 9, the force announced that they believed Ezedi went into the River Thames at Chelsea Bridge, around four hours after the alkaline attack on Wednesday, January 31.

Following examination of CCTV footage, they were able to track Ezedi to the location and then saw him disappear from view.

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 enquiries 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.”

On February 9, the force announced that they believed Ezedi went into the River Thames at Chelsea Bridge, some four hours after the alkaline attack on Wednesday, January 31.

Following examination of CCTV footage, they were able to track Ezedi to the location and then saw him disappear from view.

Officers from the Marine Policing Unit carried out a number of low tide searches in the area surrounding Chelsea Bridge over the weekend of February 10/11 and continued routine searches as part of their daily work and recovered Ezedi’s body on Mondayy.

Investigations into the attack are continuing and there have been no more arrests.