Alice Gross murder: ‘body of suspect’ removed from park

A body thought to be that of the prime suspect in the murder of English schoolgirl Alice Gross has been removed from a park, police said.

Police believe the decomposed remains, found yesterday in dense woodland in Boston Manor Park in west London, is that of Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We can now confirm the body has now been recovered by specialist officers and taken to a west London mortuary. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course."

Alice (14), from Hanwell, west London, went missing on August 28th and her body was recovered from the River Brent in west London on Tuesday.

Scotland Yard said that while 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”.

Police stood guard at all entrances to the large park last night and told people wanting to enter that it was closed. A forensics van could be seen inside the park.

Mr Zalkalns had been spotted following Alice along a canal towpath. The 41-year-old convicted killer has been missing since September 3rd.

Alice was last seen on CCTV walking beside the Grand Union Canal near her home on the afternoon of August 28th.

Nearly three weeks later investigators realised that Mr Zalkalns, who was reported missing by his family on September 5th, had been cycling behind her.

He served seven years in prison in his native country for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife Rudite to death. The Metropolitan Police have come under fire for delays in identifying him 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.

“Officers are still searching for evidence, and once again appeal to the public for any information that could assist them.”

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 yards from the forensics van.

PA