Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi is suspected to be dead after jumping off a bridge into the River Thames, police say.
The 35-year-old is suspected of pouring a strong alkali over his ex-partner and injuring her two young children, aged three and eight, in south London. CCTV footage of Ezedi has been released today by the Metropolitan Police, which shows him walking on Chelsea Bridge near Battersea Park just hours after the attack on January 31.
The footage, from 11.27pm, shows Ezedi wandering around on Chelsea Bridge with his hands in his pockets. He walks slowly around one side of the bridge, appearing to walk back and forth.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “The Thames is very fast flowing this time of year and very wide. It is possible he may never be found.
“Before Chelsea Bridge, he walked with purpose. His behaviour at Chelsea Bridge visibly changes. He walks up and down and can be seen leaning over the railings.”
At the briefing on Wednesday Commander Jon Savell said: “It is a possibility he has gone into the Thames.
“Sadly, we recover people from the Thames and it takes a while for it to happen. It is a very fast-flowing body of water. Nobody has seen anyone going into the Thames and no bodies have been recovered.”
A team of 100 officers have been working to find Ezedi, who is not the father of the children who were hurt. He suffered significant facial injuries that police have warned could prove fatal if left untreated.
Police say they have now released all footage they have of Ezedi and eight warrants have been carried out in relation to the case.
Officers have had 500 calls from the public and collected over 1,000 pieces of information. The woman involved in the attack may lose sight in her right eye and remains sedated in hospital. She is said to be still too ill to speak to police. The children were not as badly injured as was first feared.
A statement from friends read: “Her children are her life. She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host. All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.”
