Police have started searching the River Thames for the body of chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi.
A boat was seen circling near Vauxhall and Chelsea bridges after the search began shortly after low tide at 8.50am.
Detectives now believe Ezedi is dead after CCTV showed him leaning over the railings of Chelsea Bridge on the night of the attack.
Ezedi, who went on the run 10 days ago, is believed to have “gone in the water” a few hours after the attack in Clapham.
He is accused of throwing a strong alkali on his ex-partner and injuring her daughters, aged three and eight, in an attack that left 12 people wounded.
A manhunt had been ongoing after a badly injured Ezedi was caught on CCTV in various locations in London.
Police had warned the public not to approach him – but a behavioural psychologist viewed the footage and it’s now thought Ezedi took his own life.
Ezedi was seen with a wounded face after the attack.
The last sighting of the 35-year-old was on Chelsea Bridge just before 11.30pm on the night of the attack.
Commander Jon Savell said Ezedi’s body may never be found due to the strong current.
He said: “At this time of year, the Thames is very fast flowing, very wide and full of lots of snags.
“It is quite likely that if he has gone in the water, he won’t appear for maybe up to a month and it’s not beyond possibility that he may never actually surface.”
The injuries suffered by Ezedi’s ex-partner’s are thought to be “life-changing” and she may lose the sight in one eye.
She remains sedated in hospital and too ill to speak.
Abdul Ezedi’s last known movements on day of attack
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