A devastating attack in the Clapham Common area of London left a 31-year-old woman and her 3-year-old daughter with life-changing injuries. The suspect, Abdul Ezedi, who was wanted for the horrific chemical attack, was believed to have drowned in the River Thames, according to the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Policing Unit.
Despite the recovery of Ezedi’s body, formal identification is still pending. The alkaline attack that occurred on a quiet residential road near Clapham Common injured his ex-girlfriend, her young daughter, and himself. Ezedi’s girlfriend, in particular, was hospitalized as a result of the attack, and her second daughter, as well as four members of the public and five police officers, were also injured.
The police searched for Ezedi after the incident, eventually leading them to Chelsea Bridge, which was the last known location of the suspect. CCTV footage showed that Ezedi had paused halfway across the bridge and then paced back and forth before disappearing from sight. On Feb. 19, the Marine Policing Unit recovered a body from the area surrounding the bridge.
Commander Jon Savell mentioned that the distinctive clothing and property found on Ezedi’s body strongly indicated that it was him, despite the challenges of a considerable time period in the river. However, formal identification, including fingerprinting, was not possible due to the conditions in the strong current of the Thames.
Ezedi’s girlfriend remains in stable condition in the hospital, no longer sedated, though she is still unable to be interviewed by police. The victim and her daughters have a very long road to recovery, according to friends, with the mother losing sight in one eye as a result of the attack.
During the investigation, police received around 500 calls from across the country with information about Ezedi and his whereabouts. They expressed their gratitude for the public support and emphasized that every piece of information provided was followed up. Ezedi arrived in Britain in 2016, claiming asylum due to converting to Christianity and fearing danger if he returned to Afghanistan.
However, it was discovered that he had a history of criminal behavior, including two separate charges of sexual assault and exposure, for which he received suspended jail sentences. His case raised concerns about how he was granted asylum and his subsequent release from supervision. Ezedi traveled from Newcastle to London on the day of the attack, driving away from the scene and taking a number of train journeys. The substance used in the attack is believed to be a corrosive alkaline substance, such as bleach or drain cleaner.