Police hunting Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezzedi have said they believe he is dead.
Scotland Yard said Mr Ezzedi’s body had not been found, but he was last seen near the River Thames.
Officers had been searching since last Wednesday for a 35-year-old man suspected of using a strong alkaline substance in the attack on a mother and her daughters, aged three and eight. His mother, 31, was seriously injured.
It is believed that her relationship with Ezzedi had broken down.
Mr Ezzedi has been missing since the attack in Clapham, south London, on January 31, and police are urging members of the public to call 999 if they see him as he is extremely dangerous. I’m calling out.
Scotland Yard had previously appealed for Mr Ezzedi, who was believed to have been injured in the attack and suffered “serious injuries to the right side of his face”, to surrender. Mr Ezzedi is believed to have driven from his home in Newcastle to London. In the early morning hours of January 31st, it was carrying chemicals that were said to be used several hours later.
The woman was in a “very poor condition” and was sedated in hospital on Friday, and detectives said her injuries were believed to have been “life-changing”. Her children, ages 3 and 8, are not believed to be as seriously injured as initially feared.
CCTV footage received by detectives showed Ezzedi walking along the Thames in Clapham, south London, just before 7.30pm, about two hours after the attack.
More than 100 officers were involved in the massive manhunt for Ezzedi, who came to the UK from Afghanistan hiding in a truck in 2016.
Police searched an address linked to Ezzedi in Newcastle and discovered containers of chemicals.
He was convicted of sex crimes in 2018, but was subsequently granted asylum after the Court of Appeal ruled in his favor.
The woman who was left injured had also come to the UK as an asylum seeker.
Police announced Monday that there are two main theories: Ezzedi is dead or has been taken into custody.
More details coming soon…
