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Alice Gross murder: Killer 'may have pre-planned' teenager’s death Alice Gross: Killer 'may have pre-planned' teenager’s murder
(1 day later)
Alice Gross’s killer may have pre-planned her abduction and murder, a leading criminologist has suggested.Alice Gross’s killer may have pre-planned her abduction and murder, a leading criminologist has suggested.
David Wilson, professor of criminology at Birmingham City University, said aspects of her case suggest it could have been a premeditated attack as opposed to a random crime.David Wilson, professor of criminology at Birmingham City University, said aspects of her case suggest it could have been a premeditated attack as opposed to a random crime.
Police hunting for Alice confirmed her body was discovered in a west London river on Tuesday evening, after she went missing from her home in Hanwell on 28 August.Police hunting for Alice confirmed her body was discovered in a west London river on Tuesday evening, after she went missing from her home in Hanwell on 28 August.
Metropolitan Police Commander Graham McNulty said "significant efforts" were made to hide the body, which was found near the 14-year-old’s family home in Hanwell, west London.Metropolitan Police Commander Graham McNulty said "significant efforts" were made to hide the body, which was found near the 14-year-old’s family home in Hanwell, west London.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Professor Wilson said the killer’s efforts highlight that the person may have wanted “to buy some time and put some distance between himself and the crime”.Speaking to The Telegraph, Professor Wilson said the killer’s efforts highlight that the person may have wanted “to buy some time and put some distance between himself and the crime”.
The killer had managed to avoid being filmed on CCTV and being spotted by witnesses, suggesting he may have had knowledge of the area “and knew what to avoid”.The killer had managed to avoid being filmed on CCTV and being spotted by witnesses, suggesting he may have had knowledge of the area “and knew what to avoid”.
Her body had been placed in the river, which he said could be a sign the killer had some understanding of forensic methods used by police.Her body had been placed in the river, which he said could be a sign the killer had some understanding of forensic methods used by police.
Mr Wilson explained: “While some forensic lines of inquiry will remain open to the police, placing a body in water is one of the best ways to destroy lots of DNA and other forensic evidence."Mr Wilson explained: “While some forensic lines of inquiry will remain open to the police, placing a body in water is one of the best ways to destroy lots of DNA and other forensic evidence."
He added: “Any contact DNA between the killer and the victim is likely to have been destroyed but it may be that there remains some forensic evidence available from the material in which the body was wrapped.”He added: “Any contact DNA between the killer and the victim is likely to have been destroyed but it may be that there remains some forensic evidence available from the material in which the body was wrapped.”
A post-mortem examination of Alice’s body is due to resume on Thursday.A post-mortem examination of Alice’s body is due to resume on Thursday.
Ms Gross's parents, Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross, said in a statement they were "completely devastated" by the discovery.Ms Gross's parents, Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross, said in a statement they were "completely devastated" by the discovery.
"It is difficult to comprehend that our sweet and beautiful daughter was the victim of a terrible crime,” they said."It is difficult to comprehend that our sweet and beautiful daughter was the victim of a terrible crime,” they said.
"This is a personal and private tragedy and one which we want to be allowed to deal with in that manner, rather than fearing any individual or group will use it to further any political agenda. This is a time for grieving and not a time for anger or recriminations."This is a personal and private tragedy and one which we want to be allowed to deal with in that manner, rather than fearing any individual or group will use it to further any political agenda. This is a time for grieving and not a time for anger or recriminations.
"We now ask for our privacy to be respected to allow us time to grieve as a family.""We now ask for our privacy to be respected to allow us time to grieve as a family."