11 February 2024 , 11:25
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Detectives leading the manhunt for Abdul Ezedi now say the chances of him being alive after jumping into the River Thames is "extremely remote".
According to the Metropolitan Police, the last sighting of the wanted man was of him crossing over Chelsea Bridge close to midnight on January 31, before disappearing from view. Now, police believe he jumped into the River Thames
Experts at the National Crime Agency say that the chances of him surviving the River Thames are low due to several factors. These include the time of night, time of year, and jumping into the river from the bridge at such a height. The Thames current is also very strong, which experts say is "an additional factor".
Commander Jon Savell said: "Our enquiries continue but we have been very closely following all the available evidence for the past week and indications are now that Ezedi entered the water. We have tracked him since the moment the attack happened walking for four hours through London, in the main hugging the river.
"He 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.
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"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.
Abdul Ezedi can be seen in the bottom right of the image wearing a black jacket next to Battersea Park (Met Police)“We have been closely liaising with a variety of experts through the National Crime Agency throughout the course of this investigation. Those experts have considered our latest information.
"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. The Thames current is very strong which is an additional factor. 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.
“We have updated Ezedi’s family this afternoon with these latest developments and they are being supported by a specialist family liaison officer. Notwithstanding the horrific crime Ezedi committed, his family undoubtedly will be struggling to come to terms with the events of the last week and this latest development."
Since the attack happened, around 500 people across the country called police with information about Ezedi and his possible whereabouts. Commander Savell added that the force "remain immensely grateful" to those who got in touch, and wanted to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.
He also added: "Our thoughts are also with the 31-year-old woman who remains in a critical but stable condition sedated in hospital on her long road to recovery.”