The body of the Abdul Ezedi, the suspect wanted for a chemical attack on a woman and a child in London, has been recovered from the River Thames, police believe.
Detectives working on the investigation have yet to complete the formal identification of the body, found by the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Policing Unit on Monday.
Police have been searching for Ezedi since Jan. 31, after an alkaline attack that evening, which injured his 31-year-old ex-girlfriend, her 3-year-old daughter, and Ezedi himself.
The attack took place on a quiet residential road near London’s Clapham Common area.
As a result, Ezedi’s girlfriend was hospitalised, while her second daughter, four members of the public, and five police officers also suffered injuries.
The hunt led police officers to Chelsea Bridge, the final destination of the attacker, after he walked for four hours through London in the areas along the river.
CCTV footage showed Ezedi pausing halfway across Chelsea Bridge and pacing back and forth towards the railings. He was then lost from sight, police said.
The Marine Policing Unit carried out a number of searches in the area surrounding the bridge, recovering a body on Feb. 19.
“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,” said Commander Jon Savell.
He added that formal identification of the body or the fingerprints was not possible because of the “considerable period of time in the strong current of the Thames.”
The identification process may take some time, Mr. Savell said, allowing for the coroner to test DNA and dental records.
The police also reported that the condition of the 31-year-old attack victim, Ezedi’s girlfriend, 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,” Mr. Savell said.
Friends of the victim told the PA news agency that the mother of two lost her sight in one eye.
“Physically and mentally, there is a very, very long road ahead for her and the girls,” they said, commenting on the recovery of the victim and her daughters.
Since the incident took place, police reported calls from around 500 people across the country, who wanted to provide information about Ezedi and his possible whereabouts.
“The public support for our investigation was overwhelming and every piece of information provided was followed up,” said Mr. Savell.
In 2018, Ezedi was given two separate jail sentences of 36 weeks and nine weeks for charges of sexual assault and exposure. Both of the sentences were suspended for two years.
His case raised “very serious” concerns, according to former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who called for a “detailed review” of how Ezedi was granted asylum.
A Newcastle resident, Ezedi was reported to drive to London in the morning of Jan. 31 and allegedly carried out the attack at around 7:25 p.m.
Following the attack in Clapham Common, the suspect drove away, before crashing his car, and proceeding to take a number of train journeys.
The chemical used in the attack is believed to have been a corrosive alkaline substance such as bleach or drain cleaner.
