Clapham Chemical Attack: Police looking for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi find body

A body was found in the River Thames yesterday by police officers looking for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi.

Marine police teams had been searching the Thames for Ezedi, 35, after a mother and her two children were attacked with a chemical substance in Clapham on January 31.

Police said the crew of a passing boat reported they had seen a body in the water at Tower Pier, Tower Hill, at around 4pm.

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

Police have not formally identified the body, but Commander Jon Savell said the Met “strongly believe” it is Ezedi.

Commander 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.”

On February 9, police said it was likely Ezedi had entered the river after he was seen on CCTV leaning over the railings of Chelsea Bridge on the night of the attack.

Commander Savell said: “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.”

A nationwide man hunt to find Ezedi was launched after a woman and her two children were attacked with a “strong alkali liquid” near Clapham Common.

The Met said the motivation for the attack appears to be the “breakdown of a relationship”. Officers say the mother agreed to meet Ezedi on the day of the incident.

In an update, officers said the 31-year-old mother is now in a stable condition and is no longer sedated.

Mr Savell said officers have still not been able to speak to her, but hope to as soon as she is well enough.

The injuries of her two daughters – aged eight and three – were assessed as not life-changing.

Commander Savell said: “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.

“Our investigation continues into the attack and detectives have been carrying out a range of further enquiries. There have been no more arrests.”

Pictured top: Police looking for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi have found a body in the River Thames (Picture: The Met)