Police “strongly believe” they’ve found the body of chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi in the Thames after it was spotted floating by Tower Pier.
The 35-year-old was wanted for throwing a corrosive substance at a mother and her children in Clapham on January 31.
The Metropolitan Police has said the woman is in a stable condition and is no longer sedated. Her children, aged three and eight, were discharged from hospital soon after the incident.
According to the Met, the crew of a passing boat reported seeing a body in the water at around 4pm on Monday, February 19.
Commander Jon 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.
“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.”
The attack, which saw twelve people injured, saw Ezedi escape police capture sparking speculation that he’d died or was being assisted by someone.
Police had urged Ezedi, an Afghan refugee from the Newcastle area, to hand himself in.
The force released shocking images of him appearing to have sustained horrific facial injuries in a bid to track him down.
On Friday, February 9, police said they believed Ezedi went into the River Thames at Chelsea Bridge, some four hours after the alkaline attack.
Searches of the Thames saw two bodies dragged from the water but they were unrelated to the Ezedi incident.
According to national media reports Ezedi, an Afghan refugee, was in a relationship with the mother he attacked.
Commander Jon Savell added: ”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.
”Again, I thank all those hundreds of members of the public who called us with information during the hunt for Ezedi. The public support for our investigation was overwhelming and every piece of information provided was followed up.”
The investigation has seen a 22-year-old man detained on suspicion of assisting an offender yesterday (February 5) has since been released on bail.