Chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi may never be found due to 'unique challenge'

16 February 2024 , 12:02

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River experts have warned the spot where alkaline attack suspect Abdul Ezedi is believed to have jumped into the Thames could make it even harder to find his body.

Their input comes as the Met Police said their “main working hypothesis” is that Ezedi jumped into the River Thames from Chelsea Bridge, where he was last seen leaning over railings shortly before 11.30pm on January 31. Hours before the sighting, he allegedly hurled a caustic substance at his ex-girlfriend and her two daughters in Clapham, South London. The National Crime Agency have since said the "chances of Ezedi surviving are extremely remote" and confirmed they have not recovered a body at this stage.

Eric Matechak, an outdoor enthusiast who has spent more than 25 years boating and fishing on the Thames, and expert diver, Nicolai Lonne, have shared their insight on why it has been so difficult for search teams to locate the suspect in the river. Eric, who says he has an "intimate understanding of the river's unique challenges" stressed how the tidal movements are particularly strong around the Chelsea Bridge area and said they can "drastically change the water level" at any time.

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Ezedi was last seen by Chelsea bridge on January 31 (PA)

The expert further highlighted that it can be one of the toughest times of the year to conduct searches as the harsh weather conditions can have a direct impact on the river. Seconding this theory, expert Nicolai, told The Mirror it can be "difficult" to search the Thames because of the "murky water" and said "tougher" temperatures also impact the situation.

Eric and Nicolai also warned not to "expect miracles" on finding the body and said the Thames is known for "keeping secrets hidden". Speaking about how the tidal movements and timing could play a part in the case, Eric, who is the founder of Freshwater Fishing Advice, explained: "Tidal movements of the Thames can drastically change the water level at any given point.

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Chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi may never be found due to 'unique challenge'

Ezedi - captured on CCTV - showing the significant facial injuries he suffered (Metropolitan Police / SWNS)

"Since the Thames is a tidal river, especially around Chelsea Bridge, the water level at 11:30 pm on January 31 would depend on the tidal phase. Tides could either cause the river to rise, making it wider and affecting the drift, or fall, potentially exposing parts of the riverbed." He added that the intensity of the tides can also hinder divers. "The strong tides can pull divers away quickly. Getting too cold is a serious danger that limits safe diving time even more," he said.

Eric, who is "highly familiar with the Thames' currents and depth variations", further explained how this can affect a body's "final resting place". He added: "Currents at Chelsea Bridge would significantly influence the drift of an object in the water. Given the Thames' characteristics, such as being fast-flowing, wide, and containing many snags around this time of year, currents could carry an object or body downstream, potentially affecting its final resting place. The currents' strength and direction, influenced by both the river's natural flow and tidal action, would play a crucial role."

Police launched a massive hunt for Ezedi after the attack in Clapham (Metropolitan Police/AFP via Gett)

However, the make-up of the river bed also has to be considered when carrying out an extensive search, Eric explained. "River bends and river bed composition would indeed affect where a body might end up," he said. "The Thames is full of snags, which means that the river's physical features, including bends and the composition of the river bed, could trap or redirect objects. Bends could slow down or accelerate the drift, while the riverbed's makeup could catch or allow objects to move freely."

Eric Matechak stressed there are several challenges with the search

Eric praised the search teams for their efforts in trying to find the suspect during "tough conditions" and said: "I get that finding Mr Ezedi is urgent after what happened in Clapham. But based on my experience, I'd say not to expect miracles, as hard as the teams work. The Thames doesn't just give stuff up. If he did go in the water, locating his body would be incredibly tough anytime but even harder in the middle of winter. Still, we have to praise the search teams who brave tough conditions to bring closure to victims and their families. I really hope they succeed in their recovery efforts."

Nicolai, co-founder of review site DIVEIN, agreed with the expert and said the "odds are stacked against the search teams". He explained that the river "presents a new puzzle each time." He continued: "In Abdul Ezedi's case, the odds are stacked against the search teams for sure. But I know those divers, having trained a bunch myself - they're tenacious and won't quit until they try everything to locate him."

Nicolai Lonne highlighted how the weather will impact the search

He added that despite the "challenges" the Thames brings, he still has "hope" that the body can be located "My experience diving in the River Thames over many years has taught me just how difficult it can be to find objects under those murky waters, especially during the cold winter months," he said. "It gets way tougher as temperatures plummet, meaning divers need protective dry suits and can only handle short time periods under."

The diver continued: "I have faith their determination will pay off even though the Thames has a rep for keeping secrets hidden. With its swirling currents, freezing temps and poor visibility, it presents a new puzzle each time. But with the right skills and gear, there's always hope." Whilst Eric added: "Finding anything in the big Thames is super hard. No tech can beat how short the winter days are and how cold the water gets. Recovering things takes work, resources and sometimes luck goes your way too."

Marine units have been looking for the suspect in the River Thames (Getty Images)

Met Police commander Jon Savell previously outlined the police theory, based on CCTV footage, that Ezedi had taken his own life in the wake of the attack when he disappeared at the height of a major manhunt. He said: "He ( Ezedi ) is a man who had just carried out the most horrific attack and was suffering from significant injuries himself which must have been causing him an extraordinary amount of pain.

"It is just over four miles from Tower Hill, where he was seen leaving the tube station, to Chelsea Bridge. He walks purposefully. Halfway across Chelsea Bridge he pauses and paces back and forth towards the railings, as well as looking over them, this is a change in behaviour. Then he is lost from sight.

"At that time of night, at this time of year, and entering the water from the middle of a bridge at height, the chances of Ezedi surviving are extremely remote. Our Marine Policing Unit will be carrying out boat searches at low tide in the area over the coming days. We have not recovered a body at this stage."