Police searching Thames for Abdul Ezedi issue major update as two bodies found

10 February 2024 , 22:15

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Members of the Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit searched River Thames (Image: PA)

Two bodies discovered in the River Thames today are "not linked" to Abdul Ezedi, police say.

Officers continue to search for the convicted sex offender, who allegedly doused a mum and her two young children with a chemical in Clapham, south London on Wednesday January 31. He was last seen on Chelsea Bridge, which crosses River Thames in the capital, at 11.27pm that night - four hours after the attack.

Police said on Friday it is likely Ezedi, 35, jumped into the river and have been searching the waterway. However, the two male bodies found within half an hour today are not linked to the sex fiend. The first body was found near HMS Belfast, near Tower Bridge, at 10.13am, and the other was found downstream near Limehouse, East London at 10.39am.

Scotland Yard are now working to identify both bodies so they can inform next of kin. Both of the men's deaths are being treated as unexpected, a spokesperson added. Chelsea Bridge is approximately seven miles west of the Limehouse area. Speaking on Friday, Commander Jon Savell said: "We have looked at all of the available cameras and angles, and CCTV from buses. There is no sighting of him coming off the bridge."

Abdul Ezedi is the suspect in the Clapham alkaline substance attack (PA)

Boats from the Marine Policing Unit are leading the hunt for Ezedi, believed to have travelled more than 280 miles from his home in Newcastle to carry out the gruesome attack. Police analysed the man's phone, left in a car at the scene, and found communication to suggest Ezedi and the mum had recently split up, something officers believe was a motive.

Severed penis discovered lying on the ground outside petrol station car park

Little is known on the condition of the victims, though it was said the mother, 31, had "life-changing injuries". Following the attack, Ezedi fled on foot and police say he has been “being helped by others” to evade capture.

The Metropolitan Police said Clapham alkali attack suspect Ezedi's "demeanour" appeared to change as he walked over Chelsea Bridge. Commander Savell added: "When he gets to Chelsea Bridge, his demeanour appears to change. I would describe him previously as walking sort of purposefully, as if he knew where he was going and he was walking at a reasonable pace.

"As he gets onto Chelsea Bridge, he does cross the bridge more than once. And then when he gets back to the centre, he appears to be moving from the railings back to the pavement and looking over the edge of the railings. So a distinct change in how he's been moving about."

Two minutes later, Ezedi was seen again on camera heading back to the north side of Chelsea Bridge. Ezedi suffered a hideous wound to the right side of his face, apparently sustained during the attack at 7.25pm. Police suggested last week this injury could be fatal if left untreated.

Bradley Jolly