Abdul Ezedi: Body recovered from Thames confirmed as Clapham chemical attack suspect
Ezedi had been at the centre of a nationwide manhunt before police said he was suspected of entering the water near Chelsea Bridge shortly after the attack on 31 January.
Friday 23 February 2024 18:26, UK
A body recovered from the River Thames has been confirmed as Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi.
Marine police teams had been searching the river in London for Ezedi, who was accused of throwing a strong alkali substance on his ex-partner and her daughters, aged three and eight, on 31 January.
A huge search operation was launched for the 35-year-old suspect after the attack as CCTV images showed what appeared to be serious injuries to his face.
The Metropolitan Police said on 9 February it was likely Ezedi had entered the Thames in the area of Chelsea Bridge in London. CCTV showed him leaning over railings just hours after the assault.
A body was found in the search on Monday 19 February near Tower Bridge at Tower Pier.
Confirming on Friday the body had been formally identified as Ezedi following a post-mortem, Met Police Commander Jon Savell said: "We have worked to formally identify Ezedi as quickly as possible.
"As the public would expect, our enquiries continue into this atrocious attack."
Mr Savell said the 31-year-old mother who was targeted in the attack is still in hospital but is in a stable condition and is no longer sedated.
He added that officers have still not been able to speak to her, but hope to as soon as she is well enough.
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Police officers were also injured in the attack on Lessar Avenue, near Clapham Common, along with neighbours who tried to help the family.
A friend of the injured mother told Sky News the victim is still in critical care, has lost her sight in one eye and that "physically and mentally there is a very, very long road ahead for her and the girls".
They added that the mother is "desperate to be reunited" with her daughters.
The friend added that the mother is "already making so much progress" and is "determined to get out of hospital as quickly as possible".
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They added the mother is the "strongest, most independent person we know".
In the days after the attack it emerged Ezedi was granted asylum in the UK in 2020.
This was despite the fact he was handed a suspended sentence for a sexual offence in November 2018.