Murder of Alice Gross
Alice Gross | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 14 February 2000[1] |
| Died | c. 28 August 2014 (aged 14) |
| Body discovered | 30 September 2014 River Brent, London, UK |
| Known for | Murder victim |
Alice Gross was a 14-year-old English girl who went missing in London on 28 August 2014. After a month of intensive searching, her body was found on 30 September.
Gross was anorexic, which was suggested by her mother and some mainstream media sources in the early days of the search for her as being related to her disappearance.[2][3] She lived in Hanwell, west London, with her sister, Nina Gross[4] and parents,[2] Jose Gross and Rosalind Hodgkiss. The search for her was the largest deployment of Metropolitan Police officers in a search operation since the 7 July 2005 London bombings.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). It involved 600 officers from eight forces.[5]
Suspects
Two men were arrested on suspicion of murdering her; both were later released without charge.[6] The prime suspect was Latvian builder and convicted murderer Arnis Zaļkalns, who went missing from Ealing, London, on 3 September.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).
Murder inquiry
On 1 October, police launched a murder inquiry after the body of Alice Gross was found hidden under logs on the bed of the River Brent the night before.[7] On 4 October, police announced that they had found a badly decomposed body in dense woodland in Boston Manor Park during their search for Zaļkalns, and that early indications suggested the body may be his.[8] Police confirmed two days later that the body was that of Zaļkalns. The cause of his death was hanging.[9]
Community involvement
The local community of Hanwell galvanised during the time Gross was missing and a poster campaign to "Find Alice" was organised through a Facebook page. In order to enhance public awareness of Gross being missing the community tied yellow ribbons to trees, railings, their cars and homes. On 8 October Gross's family requested that the ribbons be removed while memorials were left at the Clock Tower in Hanwell. Ealing Borough Council flew flags at half-mast following the discovery of Gross's body, opened a public book of condolence and replanted flower beds near to the Hanwell Clock Tower with yellow pansies in Gross's memory.
Police briefing
On 28 January 2015, the Metropolitan Police issued a briefing stating that "all the evidence points firmly to Arnis Zalkalns" and that he would have been charged if he had not hanged himself.[10]
Lost Inquest File
On 26 July 2015 it was reported that a 30 page document relating to the case had been lost after West London coroner, Chinyere Inyama, left it on a train.[11][12] Inyama subsequently requested that the case be re-assigned to another coroner, and it was taken by Dr Fiona Wilcox.[13]
References
- ^ Alice’s Youth Music Memorial Fund
- ^ a b Natasha Culzac (5 September 2014). "Alice Gross: Police release CCTV footage of teenager as parents appeal for her safe return". The Independent. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ Missing Alice has anorexia
- ^ Question Time criticised over Alice Gross
- ^ "Alice Gross disappearance: Search 'largest since 7/7'". BBC News. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ "Alice Gross disappearance: police search for missing man". The Guardian. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ "Body found in river is Alice Gross, police confirm". The Guardian. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ "Body found in Alice Gross suspect search". BBC News. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ^ "Alice Gross death: Body found is suspect Arnis Zalkalns". BBC News. BBC. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ^ London Metro, p.20, 28 January 2015
- ^ "Alice Gross murder file lost in coroner error". BBC News. BBC. 26 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Davies, Caroline (26 July 2015). "Alice Gross: investigation launched after coroner leaves sensitive file on train". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Watts, Matt (9 October 2015). "Alice Gross coroner drops out of murder inquest after he leaves police file on train". London Evening Standard. p. 7.