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Alice Gross murder suspect Zalkalns 'would have been charged' Alice Gross murder suspect Zalkalns 'would have been charged'
(about 1 hour later)
Charges would have been brought against Alice Gross murder suspect Arnis Zalkalns if he had lived, police say.Charges would have been brought against Alice Gross murder suspect Arnis Zalkalns if he had lived, police say.
The body of Alice, 14, was found in the River Brent in west London on 30 September, after she went missing a month earlier.The body of Alice, 14, was found in the River Brent in west London on 30 September, after she went missing a month earlier.
The corpse of Latvian builder Zalkalns was found less than two miles away in Boston Manor Park, on 4 October.The corpse of Latvian builder Zalkalns was found less than two miles away in Boston Manor Park, on 4 October.
The Met Police has told the Crown Prosecution Service it thinks Zalkalns was responsible for Alice's murder.The Met Police has told the Crown Prosecution Service it thinks Zalkalns was responsible for Alice's murder.
At a briefing, the force released the evidence it had compiled against him, including CCTV and items recovered.At a briefing, the force released the evidence it had compiled against him, including CCTV and items recovered.
Alice's disappearance sparked what the Met said was its largest inquiry since the 7/7 bombings in 2005.Alice's disappearance sparked what the Met said was its largest inquiry since the 7/7 bombings in 2005.
'Sexual motive''Sexual motive'
In a statement, her family said: "Every day is full of reminders of her life and her loss, and it is hard to imagine a future in which we can find peace or healing."In a statement, her family said: "Every day is full of reminders of her life and her loss, and it is hard to imagine a future in which we can find peace or healing."
At the briefing, Det Chief Insp Andy Chalmers said: "Boy, do I wish we'd found her earlier."At the briefing, Det Chief Insp Andy Chalmers said: "Boy, do I wish we'd found her earlier."
Zalkalns, who was working as a labourer on a building site in Isleworth, had been convicted of murdering his wife in Latvia, in 1998.Zalkalns, who was working as a labourer on a building site in Isleworth, had been convicted of murdering his wife in Latvia, in 1998.
Police said they believe there was a "sexual motive" to Alice's murder although there is no evidence of that.Police said they believe there was a "sexual motive" to Alice's murder although there is no evidence of that.
The CPS said its case would have been based on circumstantial evidence, not forensic or eyewitness evidence.The CPS said its case would have been based on circumstantial evidence, not forensic or eyewitness evidence.
Zalkalns found hangedZalkalns found hanged
Tim Thompson, CPS prosecutor said: "Of all the people the various strands of evidence might have implicated they in fact point towards Arnis Zalkalns: a person who has previously killed, and concealed the body of a young woman.Tim Thompson, CPS prosecutor said: "Of all the people the various strands of evidence might have implicated they in fact point towards Arnis Zalkalns: a person who has previously killed, and concealed the body of a young woman.
"It is not for the CPS to say whether or not Arnis Zalkalns killed Alice Gross - that would have been for a jury to decide.""It is not for the CPS to say whether or not Arnis Zalkalns killed Alice Gross - that would have been for a jury to decide."
They added a single DNA sample from Alice's skin "strongly supports" a match to Zalkalns.They added a single DNA sample from Alice's skin "strongly supports" a match to Zalkalns.
Officers have said no-one else was involved in Zalkalns' death. He was found hanged.Officers have said no-one else was involved in Zalkalns' death. He was found hanged.
The cause of Alice's death was "compressive asphyxia", they added. Post mortem tests suggested the cause of of Alice's death was "compressive asphyxia", with the teenager after being compressed by a heavier body, police said.
Following the police briefing, Alice's family said: "Although we now have certain information about how Alice died, we are still left with some serious unanswered questions about what the authorities knew or should have known about the man who is believed to have killed our daughter when he came to the UK.Following the police briefing, Alice's family said: "Although we now have certain information about how Alice died, we are still left with some serious unanswered questions about what the authorities knew or should have known about the man who is believed to have killed our daughter when he came to the UK.
"Alice believed in the free movement of people and so do we. For her sake, we are determined to ask these questions responsibly and sensitively.""Alice believed in the free movement of people and so do we. For her sake, we are determined to ask these questions responsibly and sensitively."
The inquest into Alice's death was due to resume on Thursday but has been postponed.The inquest into Alice's death was due to resume on Thursday but has been postponed.
Other key points that have emerged from police at a press briefing:Other key points that have emerged from police at a press briefing:
Scotland Yard also spoke about Zalkalns' criminal history.
Following his conviction for murdering his wife in Latvia, he was released from prison in 2005 and arrived legally in the UK in 2007, police said.
In 2009, he was arrested over alleged indecent assault on 14-year-old girl, near to the Grand Union Canal in Boston Manor.
Police said the allegation was "thoroughly investigated" but the complainant decided not to press charges.
No checks were made to see if Zalkalns had any overseas convictions because it was not Met policy to do so, the force said.
However, detectives said even if the conviction had been known about it was "very unlikely" Zalkalns would have been deported.