Clapham chemical attack – latest: Two bodies found in search for suspect Ezedi as officers return to Thames

Two bodies, unrelated to Ezedi, were found on Saturday morning as the force began searching the River Thames

Clapham attack suspect may have ‘gone into’ River Thames

Police are searching the River Thames for the man suspected of carrying out the Clapham chemical attack after two bodies were found in the water.

A police boat circled between Vauxhall and Chelsea bridges on Saturday morning, one day after the Metropolitan Police revealed their belief that Abdul Ezedi, 35, may have jumped or fallen from Chelsea Bridge.

A body was recovered near HMS Belfast just after 10am and another was found around 30 minutes later along the river in Limehouse.

The force said neither of the discoveries are linked to Ezedi and the search efforts resumed at around 10am on Sunday.

Ezedi was last seen on CCTV pacing up and down Chelsea Bridge and leaning over the railings four hours after the attack on January 31.

Detectives say his death is the “most probable outcome”, but officers warned it may take months for a body to be recovered – or it may never be found.

Key points

• Police launch second day of River Thames search
• Detectives working on hypothesis that Ezedi fell or jumped into Thames
• Two bodies found in Thames
• Suspect’s death is most probable outcome, say police
• Mother has significant facial injuries that will affect her ‘for rest of life’

[10 February 2024 09:20 · Athena Stavrou]

Victim of chemical attack ‘unable to speak to police'

The Metropolitan Police said the victim of the Clapham alkali attack is “very poorly and unable to speak to police”.

In a briefing at Scotland Yard, Commander Jon Savell said: “Our thoughts obviously still remain with our victim who still is very poorly and unable to speak to police.”

Earlier this week, a fundraiser launched on GoFundMe to support the family has so far raised thousands of pounds.

Friends of the woman have described her as “a devoted and loving mother”. The group said the victim was “a wonderful cook and host” and praised her neighbours for being “angels” by helping in the aftermath of the attack.

[10 February 2024 08:50 · Athena Stavrou]

Police to search Thames

The Metropolitan Police said searches of the River Thames will be carried out for Clapham alkali attack suspect Abdul Ezedi.

In a briefing at Scotland Yard, Commander Jon Savell said: “Our marine support unit will be carrying out some searches of the Thames.

“But as you can imagine, at this time of year the Thames is very fast flowing. And our expertise, and the experts from the oceanography departments that are supporting us, would indicate that it may be some time if someone has gone in the water at this time of year for a person to surface.

“And sadly, they may never actually be found.”

He added that police were in contact with a member of Ezedi’s family to “break that news”.

Commander Savell added: “Obviously, that will be shocking news for them and they will I imagine be naturally very anxious about what Ezedi is alleged to have done and what may have happened to him.”

[10 February 2024 08:05 · Athena Stavrou]

Clapham suspect’s previous sexual offences

Abdul Ezedi was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018.

He avoided jail after pleading guilty to charges of sexual assault and exposure, instead being placed on the sex offender register for 10 years and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work when he was handed a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9 of that year.

Ezedi was accused of grabbing the bottom of a woman without her consent in 2017, as well as committing a sex act that same year, according to documents detailing the indictment which were disclosed by the court to the PA news agency on Tuesday.

(PA)

[10 February 2024 07:15 · Athena Stavrou]

Ezedi paced up and down bridge before vanishing

Detective superintendent Rick Sewart said Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi’s behaviour on the bridge has led them to believe he may have entered the water.

He was seen pacing up and down the bridge before leaning over the railings.

Afterwards, cameras lost sight of the suspect.

“We have tracked Exedi’s movements from the Tower Hill area where he alighted the underground and he’s walked four miles to the location of Chelsea Bridge,” said Mr Sewart.

“He’s walked with purpose but he’s essentially hugged the Thames river line and when he has got to the area of Chelsea Bridge, his behaviour visibly appears to change in so much as he walks up and down the bridge.

“He pauses halfway down the bridge and he walks to and from the side of the bridge and can be seen leaning over the railings before there is a loss of sight.”

(PA)