Clapham attack: Mum 'desperate' to be reunited with children as police find body

Commander Jon Savell of the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 'very distinctive clothing' has led police to 'strongly believe' the body that of Ezedi

A body has been found in the River Thames by police searching for chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi, the Met Police has said.

Ezedi was last seen on January 31 after a his former girlfriend, a 31-year-old woman, was attacked alongside her two daughters, with a corrosive alkaline substance in Clapham, south London.

At around 4pm on Monday, the crew of a passing boat reported seeing a body in the water at Tower Pier.

The body was recovered by the Met’s Marine Policing Unit and has been viewed by detectives working on the investigation.

Police have not yet formally identified the body.

His former girlfriend, a mother-of-two who was doused with a corrosive chemical in a harrowing attack on her and her young children, is now no longer under sedation in hospital.

Friends who are fundraising for the family said she is desperate to be reunited with her two daughters.

They said in a statement given to the PA news agency: “Mum’s still in critical care and desperate to be reunited with her girls.

“We know mum’s lost her sight in one eye, and we’re praying that it returns fully in the other.

“Our friend is a phenomenal mum and the strongest, most independent person we know.

“She’s already making so much progress and is determined to get out of hospital as quickly as possible.”

More than £44,000 has been raised so far for the woman and her two children, aged 8 and 3, in the wake of the horror attack in Clapham, south London last month.

The friends’ statement continued: “Physically and mentally, there is a very, very long road ahead for her and the girls.

“Like so many of us, the family were really struggling to make ends meet before the attack, so we just want their recovery to not be compounded by financial fears.

“We know times are tough and the level of support so far means the world. Every donation helps, and sends a powerful message against this evil attack.

“We kindly ask anyone reading this to consider donating even the cost of a coffee to show Mum and the girls that the wider community has their back and they can feel safe again.”

Met Police Commander Jon Savell said: “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.

“We have been in contact with his family to pass on the news.

“As you may expect after a considerable period of time in the strong current of the Thames, formal identification is not possible visually, nor from fingerprints.

"We will work with the coroner on other ways to complete formal identification, such as DNA testing and dental records. That may take some time.

”Our enquiries continue into the attack. I am pleased to say the condition of the 31-year-old woman 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.

”Again, I thank all those hundreds of members of the public who called us with information during the hunt for Ezedi. The public support for our investigation was overwhelming and every piece of information provided was followed up.”

Ezedi, from the Newcastle area, is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner, and injuring her two young children, aged three and eight, on January 31 in Clapham.

The breakdown of the relationship is considered a possible motive for the attack.

In a statement, friends of the victim said: "Physically and mentally, there is a very, very long road ahead for her and the girls.

"Like so many of us, the family were really struggling to make ends meet before the attack, so we just want their recovery to not be compounded by financial fears.

"We know times are tough and the level of support so far means the world. Every donation helps, and sends a powerful message against this evil attack."

The police investigation continues into the attack and detectives have been carrying out a range of further enquiries including reviewing CCTV.

There have been no more arrests connected to the incident.

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