Marine police are conducting extensive searches along the River Thames after authorities suggested that Abdul Ezedi, the suspect in the Clapham acid attack, may have entered the water.
The last confirmed sighting of Ezedi was on Chelsea Bridge shortly before 11:30 PM on January 31, the night of the acid attack that left a mother and her two children badly injured.
According to the Metropolitan Police, Ezedi may have sustained injuries during the attack and could be experiencing “an extraordinary amount of pain.
Commander Jon Savell stated, “Our enquiries continue, but we have been very closely following all the available evidence for the past week, and indications are now that Ezedi entered the water.”
The Met’s marine policing unit will be conducting boat searches at low tide over the coming days as part of their efforts to locate Ezedi.
Savell described Ezedi’s behaviour captured on CCTV footage, noting his purposeful walking along the riverbank and his eventual disappearance from view while on Chelsea Bridge.
Despite extensive efforts to locate Ezedi, including coordination with the National Crime Agency and close scrutiny of CCTV footage, authorities have not yet recovered a body.
Ezedi’s family has been informed of the latest developments and is receiving support from a specialist family liaison officer.
“While Ezedi’s actions were abhorrent, his family will undoubtedly be struggling to come to terms with the events of the last week and this latest development,” added Commander Savell.
The investigation into Ezedi’s whereabouts has garnered significant public attention, with approximately 500 individuals providing information to the police.
Commander Savell expressed gratitude for the public’s support and provided an update on the condition of the 31-year-old woman injured in the acid attack, stating she remains in critical but stable condition in the hospital.
As the search for Ezedi continues, authorities remain focused on completing their inquiries to ascertain the exact events of the night of the attack.
