Body found during hunt for Clapham fugitive Abdul Ezedi after chemicals thrown on mother and her daughters in horror attack

A BODY has been found during the search for fugitive Abdul Shokoor Ezedi – 20 days after he chemically attacked his ex and her children.

Ezedi, 35, went on the run after twelve people were injured in the horrors in Clapham, south-west London, on January 31 at 7:25 PM.

Abdul Ezedi was last seen at Chelsea Bridge in West London

He melted his face during the chemical attack

RNLI Chiswick Lifeboat searches for Ezedi in the Thames

He had been hunted by the police because of a 'targeted' chemical attack

The moment a woman and her children were attacked

The Met launched one huge manhunt for the suspect after he enticed the 31-year-old mother to meet him.

He then allegedly attacked her and her daughters, ages three and eight, in their car, police said.

Police today confirmed that a body was recovered from Tower Pier at 4pm on Monday.

Commander Jon Savell said: “Based on the distinctive clothing he was wearing at the time of the attack and the property found on his body, we strongly believe we have recovered Ezedi's body.

“We have been in contact with his family to pass on the news.

“As you would expect after a significant period in the strong current of the Thames, formal identification is not possible visually or by 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.

“Our investigation into the attack continues. I am happy to say that the 31-year-old woman's condition has improved. She is still in the hospital, but her condition is stable and she is no longer sedated. We haven't been able to speak to her yet, but hope to do so once she gets better.

“Once again I would like to thank all those hundreds of citizens who called us with information during the hunt for Ezedi. The public support for our research was overwhelming and every piece of information given was acted upon.”

A total of twelve people were injured the attack – including the 31-year-old mother and her daughters.

Cmdr Savell previously said there was a “very strong indication” the pair were in a relationship, which had since “broke up”.

The mother remains in hospital and is “too ill to talk” due to her “significant injuries”.

The discovery comes after police searched the River Thames in west London, suspecting he had entered the water.

He was last seen crossing Chelsea Bridge at 11.27pm, around four hours after the Clapham attack, before disappearing.

CCTV footage shows him leaning over the bridge before disappearing from view, police say.

Chemical attack in Clapham: Man arrested after mother and daughters, 3 and 8, under 12 were injured in horror

Det Supt Rick Sewart said death was the “most likely outcome” if Ezedi had gone into the water.

But the Met warned against it Ezedi's body may never surface of the fast-flowing Thames.

The Met had shared the fugitive's details with all British police forces and ports and a £20,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.

Officers robbed a pizza takeaway restaurant where Ezedi previously worked in Newcastle as the hunt continued.

They also searched a second address in the city, but no arrests were made.

It followed raids on two homes in east London and three in Newcastle.

Police released images of officers entering a home in the city over the weekend where empty containers with caustic warnings on the labels were found.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an perpetrator.

He was taken into custody and later released on bail while investigations continued.

Police say forensic tests are “currently underway” to see if the containers contained the substance used in the attack.

She also called on people not to come near “dangerous” fugitive Ezedi.

Ezedi arrived in Britain in a truck and could not file a claim asylum.

However, he subsequently converted Christianity and was accepted on his third attempt with a priest as character witness.

Ezedi pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one charge of indecent exposure before being granted asylum Crown prosecutor has confirmed.

He was sentenced to nine weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9, 2018 for the assault.

For the unmasking he received a prison sentence of 36 weeks, which was also extended by two years.

Ezedi had lived in Newcastle for a number of years but is said to have recently traveled to London.

Witnesses said Ezedi spent his days “hanging around the streets” of Newcastle, near the hostel where he lived last summer.