Alice Gross: 'Now A Murder Investigation'

Police searching for missing teenager Alice Gross have found a body in the River Brent in west London.

Detectives hunting for the 14-year-old, who disappeared nearly five weeks ago after leaving her home in Hanwell, said there had been “significant efforts” to hide the human remains.

Scotland Yard Commander Graham McNulty said: “This is now a murder investigation and I need the public’s help to find whoever is responsible.”

The body has been removed from the scene and Alice’s family have been informed.

Mr McNulty said: “Our work at this scene is crucial to make sure we capture all of the available evidence, to establish who is responsible for this dreadful crime.

“I can confirm significant efforts were made to conceal the body.”

He added: “We are unable to make a formal identification at this stage, but clearly this news is devastating for everyone involved in the search for Alice.

“At this time my thoughts are with Alice’s family and friends.”

Thanking the local community for their support during the investigation, he said: “This discovery will have a significant impact throughout the borough.”

Alice was last seen on CCTV walking along the towpath next to the Grand Union Canal as it passes under Trumpers Way at 4.26pm on August 28. She has not been seen since.

Her disappearance sparked a huge police search – the Met’s largest since the 7/7 bombings.

Hundreds of officers from several forces around the country have been involved in the investigation, while the RAF was also drafted in to help identify new search areas.

Footage from 300 CCTV cameras within a six-square-mile radius was examined, while police also staged a reconstruction of the  the teenager’s last-known movements in a bid to jog people’s memory.

Mr McNulty said the search of the river was carried out as part of the investigation into Alice’s disappearance.

Police have not said exactly where the body was found.

The River Brent runs a short distance from Hanwell and the towpath next to the Grand Union Canal where Alice was last seen on CCTV.

Convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, who was filmed cycling along the same route behind Alice, has emerged as the prime suspect in the case.

The Latvian builder was reported missing within days of her disappearance, but police stressed he was just “one line of enquiry”.

Alice Gross: 'Now A Murder Investigation'