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Alice Gross murder: body believed to be suspect is removed from park Alice Gross murder: body believed to be suspect is removed from park
(about 2 hours later)
A body thought to be that of Arnis Zalkalns – the prime suspect in the murder of the schoolgirl Alice Gross – has been removed from a park, police say.A body thought to be that of Arnis Zalkalns – the prime suspect in the murder of the schoolgirl Alice Gross – has been removed from a park, police say.
Alice, 14, from Hanwell, west London, went missing on 28 August and her body was recovered from the river Brent in west London on Tuesday.Alice, 14, from Hanwell, west London, went missing on 28 August and her body was recovered from the river Brent in west London on Tuesday.
Police believe a badly decomposed body found on Saturday in dense woodland in Boston Manor Park, west London, is that of Zalkalns, a Latvian builder.Police believe a badly decomposed body found on Saturday in dense woodland in Boston Manor Park, west London, is that of Zalkalns, a Latvian builder.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We can confirm the body has now been recovered by specialist officers and taken to a west London mortuary. A postmortem examination will be held in due course.”A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We can confirm the body has now been recovered by specialist officers and taken to a west London mortuary. A postmortem examination will be held in due course.”
Scotland Yard said on Saturday that although no formal identification had been made, “early indications suggest the body may be that of Arnis Zalkalns. We have updated his partner and a family liaison officer is supporting her.”Scotland Yard said on Saturday that although no formal identification had been made, “early indications suggest the body may be that of Arnis Zalkalns. We have updated his partner and a family liaison officer is supporting her.”
According to reports, the dead man was found hanged.According to reports, the dead man was found hanged.
Police stood guard at all entrances to the large park on Saturday night and told people wanting to enter that it was closed. Officers could be seen walking inside the park, particularly under the M4 flyover at the Brentford end of the park, and a forensics van could be seen.Police stood guard at all entrances to the large park on Saturday night and told people wanting to enter that it was closed. Officers could be seen walking inside the park, particularly under the M4 flyover at the Brentford end of the park, and a forensics van could be seen.
Zalkalns had been spotted following Alice along a canal towpath. The 41-year-old convicted killer has been missing since 3 September.Zalkalns had been spotted following Alice along a canal towpath. The 41-year-old convicted killer has been missing since 3 September.
Alice was last seen on CCTV walking beside the Grand Union Canal near her home on the afternoon of 28 August.Alice was last seen on CCTV walking beside the Grand Union Canal near her home on the afternoon of 28 August.
Nearly three weeks later investigators realised that Zalkalns, who was reported missing by his family on 5 September, had been cycling behind her.Nearly three weeks later investigators realised that Zalkalns, who was reported missing by his family on 5 September, had been cycling behind her.
He served seven years in prison in his native country for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife Rudite to death. He served seven years in prison in his native country for bludgeoning and stabbing to death his wife Rudite.
The general labourer, who worked at a building site in Isleworth, west London, is believed to have come to the UK in 2007, but authorities in the UK are thought to have had no record of his murder conviction. The Metropolitan police have come under fire for delays in identifying Zalkalns as a suspect. The general labourer, who worked at a building site in Isleworth, west London, is believed to have come to the UK in 2007, but authorities in the UK are thought to have had no record of his murder conviction. The Metropolitan police have been criticised for delays in identifying Zalkalns as a suspect.
The police spokesman said: “Although Arnis Zalkalns had been identified as a suspect in the Alice Gross murder investigation, inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding this crime.The police spokesman said: “Although Arnis Zalkalns had been identified as a suspect in the Alice Gross murder investigation, inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding this crime.
“Officers are still searching for evidence, and once again appeal to the public for any information that could assist them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact us on 020 8358 0100.”“Officers are still searching for evidence, and once again appeal to the public for any information that could assist them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact us on 020 8358 0100.”
People living near the park were alarmed at the discovery of a body so close to them. People living near the park were alarmed at the discovery of a body so close to them. Ingrid Zalalis, a 46-year-old finance worker from Lithuania, who was with her daughter, said: “This is our park. We come here for walks. We also go on our bicycles near the canal, and spent a lot of time looking there after Alice went missing.
Ingrid Zalalis, a 46-year-old finance worker from Lithuania, who was with her daughter, said: “This is our park. We come here for walks. We also go on our bicycles near the canal, and spent a lot of time looking there after Alice went missing. “There are areas in these woods where people don’t go. The police searched the park a while ago and I don’t think they found anything then. Even if it is the man they are looking for, I am not reassured. Perhaps somebody killed her, and then killed him as a witness. We just don’t know.”
“There are areas in these woods where people don’t go. A 57-year-old housewife who would only give her first name, Zahra, said: “I used to like this park, but now I feel it’s not a safe place. I have been very upset about Alice Gross. I couldn’t sleep when the body was found.”
“The police searched the park a while ago and I don’t think they found anything then.
“Even if it is the man they are looking for, I am not reassured. Perhaps somebody killed her, and then killed him as a witness. We just don’t know.”
A 57-year-old housewife who would only give her first name, Zahra, said: “I used to like this park, but now I feel it’s not a safe place.
“I have been very upset about Alice Gross. I couldn’t sleep when the body was found.”
The park has a children’s playground, nature trail, sports activities and a cafe, according to the Friends of Boston Manor website. The site’s information about the nature trail includes references to the river Brent.The park has a children’s playground, nature trail, sports activities and a cafe, according to the Friends of Boston Manor website. The site’s information about the nature trail includes references to the river Brent.
Alice’s disappearance prompted an outpouring of support in her local community, where yellow ribbons and bows still adorn the streets. There were also yellow ribbons tied to railings on the way into the park, and around a large tree about 200 metres from the forensics van.Alice’s disappearance prompted an outpouring of support in her local community, where yellow ribbons and bows still adorn the streets. There were also yellow ribbons tied to railings on the way into the park, and around a large tree about 200 metres from the forensics van.