London, February 9, 2024 – The search for Abdul Ezedi, wanted in connection with a horrific chemical attack in Clapham, has taken a grim turn as police now believe he is “most likely dead” after a meticulous search along the River Thames.
The hunt for the 35-year-old suspect commenced on January 31 following a distressing incident on Lessar Avenue, Clapham, where a 31-year-old mother and her two daughters, aged eight and three, fell victim to a corrosive substance attack.
Commander Jon Savell of the Metropolitan Police had previously indicated that Ezedi may have entered the River Thames, as CCTV footage captured him walking in the vicinity of the river towards Victoria Embankment shortly after the attack.
In an update provided today, Commander Savell stated, “We have spent the last 24 hours meticulously following the CCTV, and it’s our main working hypothesis that he’s now gone into the water. The Thames is very fast flowing this time of year and very wide, it is possible he may never be found.
Savell elaborated on Ezedi’s movements, noting a visible change in behavior as he approached Chelsea Bridge. 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.
Despite exhaustive searches and review of available CCTV footage, no sightings of Ezedi beyond Chelsea Bridge have been reported, according to the police.
Furthermore, the discovery of another body in the River Thames in Victoria Parade, Greenwich, on February 8, has added to the complexity of the investigation. However, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the recovered body was not that of Ezedi.
Investigators have revealed that the victim had agreed to meet Ezedi on the day of the attack and that the assault occurred while they were together in a car. Commander Savell suggested that a breakdown in their relationship could have been a motive for the attack. It was clarified that Ezedi is not the father of the woman’s children who were also injured during the incident.
The search for Abdul Ezedi has garnered significant attention, with a reward of up to £20,000 previously offered for information leading to his arrest. Despite the developments suggesting his possible demise, the investigation into the Clapham chemical attack remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
