Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi likely has “gone into” the River Thames, Metropolitan Police have revealed.
A body has not been found yet and experts have said that it likely never will. This time of year the body may not surface due to wide snags and fast-travelling water.
The last sighting of the 35-year-old man was in the area of Chelsea Bridge, near Battersea Park just before 11:30pm on Wednesday, January 31, after the man walked four miles from Tower Hill.
Police noted that Ezedi’s behaviour seemed altered at his last known location, with the man walking up and down, and pausing before he’s seen leaning over the bridge.
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.”
The 35-year-old man is accused of pouring a strong alkali on a woman, who has been confirmed to be his ex-partner, and injuring her two young children, aged three and eight, on Wednesday January 31 in Clapham, south London.
According to a source speaking to The Sun, the team investigating Ezedi believe he “died soon after the last sighting of him on camera on the north side of the river”.
At a news 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.”
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.
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.”
Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said on Wednesday the manhunt for Ezedi is “an incredibly high-priority attempted murder investigation”. Armed police raided an address in Newcastle in the early hours of Thursday morning, but no arrests were made.
He added on Thursday: “Today’s early morning activity involved armed officers targeting addresses linked to Ezedi as our investigation continues to find this dangerous man.
“This is just part of our work, a team of 100 officers in London are continuing to progress a range of inquiries, linking in with other forces and agencies. This includes meticulous work to examine CCTV footage, and we have now traced Ezedi’s movements for another 30 minutes.”
He thanked members of the public who have given information and said officers handed out 250 leaflets at the scene of the attack on Wednesday evening, visited local Afghan restaurants and spoke to members of the local residents’ association.
Ezedi, who is not the father of the children who were hurt, suffered significant facial injuries that could prove fatal if left untreated.
Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, who is leading the hunt for the Afghan refugee, said: “The medical injuries to Ezedi appear very significant from imagery that we have recovered, to the right side of his face.
“And through the National Crime Agency we have received medical interpretation which would indicate that his injuries could be potentially fatal if not treated.”
