Clapham chemical attack: ‘Panic on police faces’ as ‘body of suspect’ found in River Thames
Footage has emerged of the moment police discovered what they believe to be the body of Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi in the River Thames.
The video shows two officers pulling a body out of the water at Tower Pier, near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
It also shows officers working alongside lifeboat crews on the River Thames during the operation.
Police board a lifeboat beside the pier
One witness to the incident, Billy Kither, said he and his friend were on an Uber Boat on the Thames near Tower Bridge on Monday around 4pm when he saw a flurry of police activity.
“Police came on to the boat, I think for random checks,” he told Sky News.
“They were just walking about looking at people, making sure everyone was okay.
“Then the radio went for the boat, saying ‘We can’t stop there is someone in the water’.
“The police radios started going, police boats, the search and rescue pulled up next to us and the police hopped on [another boat]. [There was] panic on their faces.”
Lifeboat crews at the scene
Read more:
Timeline of chemical attack suspect’s movements
Marine police teams had been searching the River Thames in London for Ezedi, who was accused of throwing a strong alkali on his ex-partner and injuring her daughters, aged three and eight.
He is believed to have “gone in the water” a few hours after the south London attack on 31 January.
Police said the crew of a passing boat reported they had seen a body in the water at Tower Pier EC3 around 4pm on Monday.
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How Clapham chemical attack unfolded
The body was recovered by the Met’s Marine Policing Unit and has been seen by detectives investigating the chemical attack.
“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,” Commander Jon Savell said.
“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.”
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‘We strongly believe this is Abdul Ezedi’
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The Metropolitan Police said on 9 February that it was likely Ezedi had entered the River Thames in the area of Chelsea Bridge in London. CCTV showed him leaning over railings just hours after the attack.
Officers said he had probably died.
CCTV image of Ezedi crossing over Chelsea Bridge and entering Battersea Park on 31 January. Pic: PA/Met Police
Police had previously warned his body might never be found, due to the fast winter currents in the river.
A nationwide manhunt had been launched for Ezedi, after his suspected involvement in the Clapham assault.
A corrosive alkaline substance was thrown and also injured police officers who responded to the incident, as well as neighbours on Lessar Avenue, near Clapham Common, who rushed to help the family.
Abdul Ezedi. Pic: Met Police
Police said on Tuesday that the condition of the woman had improved and that she remained in a stable condition in hospital, and was no longer sedated.
A friend of the woman told Sky News the victim is still in critical care, has lost her sight in one eye and that “physically and mentally there is a very, very long road ahead for her and the girls”.
They added that the mother is “desperate to be reunited” with her daughters and is “determined to get out of hospital as quickly as possible”.
The friend described her as the “strongest, most independent person we know”.
More than £44,000 has been raised so far for the woman and her two children in a fundraising drive organised by her friends.
Commander Savell said officers had still not been able to speak to her, but hoped to as soon as she was well enough.
“Our enquiries continue into the attack,” he added.
Ezedi was previously in a relationship with the woman, police believe, but it broke down.
It was considered a possible motive by the force.
The 35-year-old lived in Newcastle after a successful asylum application to stay in the UK – despite being convicted of a sexual offence.
Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.
The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.
Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.”
As well as her TV and musical career, Linda helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, Samaritans and others.
“Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy,” Mr McNamara said.
Five of the Nolans in 1983 (L-R): Linda, Anne, Bernie, Coleen and Maureen. Pic: PA
Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday.
Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course.
Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.
Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.
Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.
At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.
Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.
L-R: Bernie, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen Nolan pictured in 1975, before youngest sister Coleen joined the group
Four siblings struck by cancer
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and underwent a mastectomy two days before her 47th birthday.
After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.
The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.
The star, pictured last year, had battled cancer for several years. Pic: Shutterstock
They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.
But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.
The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.
Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.
Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’
TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”
“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”
Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.
A 20-year-old trainee gas engineer who won £7.5m says he was back working on blocked drains the day after claiming his cash.
James Clarkson, 20, from Carlisle, Cumbria, found out he’d hit the £7,533,329 National Lottery jackpot on 4 January – but said he has no plans to quit his job.
“I was out in the cold fixing blocked drains the day after I found out I had won,” he said.
“It was a bit grim but that’s reality.
“I’m not going to stop working, I’m too young,” he added, admitting he knew it might sound “mad” to some.
“I want to qualify as a heating engineer and then go from there.
“I need to have a purpose in life, plus dad wouldn’t let me not work anyway. He says there are plenty of millionaires out there that still work and you need a reason to get up each day.”
Mr Clarkson celebrating with his family. Pic: PA
Mr Clarkson added he still planned to have “some nice holidays” in between working, and revealed one of his first purchases was an all-inclusive luxury break to Cape Verde, along with a few designer items including a Gucci bag for his girlfriend and two new jackets for himself.
He said he also planned to splash out on a new car, possibly an Audi – but for now, he’s got his work van.
“If you drive a cold work van all day, going from job to job, you’d understand,” he said.
“The comfort, the steering, the heated seats. I realise how jammy that sounds, not many people my age can afford the car insurance let alone a car like that to drive.”
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As a huge Manchester City fan, he said he was also looking to buy a season ticket at the Etihad Stadium, as well as taking care of his extended family – starting with paying off his parents’ mortgage.
The new multi-millionaire holds up bespoke Manchester City kit celebrating his win. Pic: PA
He said: “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, it’s what I want to do. I told them last night and they seemed really overwhelmed.
“We are close and they have always been there for me. This win isn’t just for me, I want to make sure we all benefit.”
Mr Clarkson played on the National Lottery app, choosing his winning numbers – 16, 19, 22, 24, 27 and 35 – at random.
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