International Shia News Agency

bbc.com/Alice Gross post-mortem examination to resume

SHAFAQNA –  Police confirmed the body found in a west London river on Tuesday evening was that of the missing 14-year-old. She was last seen on 28 August after she left her home in Hanwell, west London. Alice’s parents said: “It is difficult to comprehend that our sweet and beautiful daughter was the victim of a terrible crime.” Ealing Council said yellow ribbons placed around the borough would be kept in place as a sign of respect Police officers from several forces took part in the search for Alice Gross The post-mortem examination began on Wednesday at Uxbridge Mortuary and is expected to continue due to the “complex nature” of the investigation, a Met Police spokesman said.

Alice’s parents Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross said: “Why anyone would want to hurt her is something that we are struggling to come to terms with. “Alice was a loving and much loved daughter and sister, a quirky live spark of a girl, beautiful inside and out. Arnis Zalkalns was last seen on 3 September – a week after Alice Gross disappeared “She was a funny companion, a loyal friend, both passionate and compassionate, and so talented with a bright future ahead of her. “She brought so much joy to our family and those who knew her.” Following the discovery of the body, police said their investigation into her disappearance was now a murder inquiry.

Detectives say their prime suspect is convicted killer Arnis Zalkalns. He was filmed cycling along the Grand Union Canal 15 minutes after Alice had walked along it on 28 August, and has been missing from his Ealing home since 3 September.

The 41-year-old served seven years in prison in his native country for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife Rudite to death.

When police found the body on Tuesday they said significant efforts had been made to conceal it.

Alice’s disappearance prompted an outpouring of support in her local community, where yellow ribbons and bows still adorn the streets.

Leader of Ealing Council Julian Bell said the yellow ribbons would be kept in place as a sign of respect.

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