Prime suspect in Alice Gross disappearance served seven years for murder in Latvia

Detectives revealed on Thursday that a Latvian builder they are searching for in connection with the disappearance of schoolgirl Alice Gross is a convicted murderer. Fourteen-year-old Alice was last seen on August 28, when she was spotted on CCTV by the Grand Union Canal in west London. Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, today named Arnis Zalkalns as a suspect after he was seen on CCTV around the tow path where Alice went missing.

I need to hear from anyone who knew Arnis whom we have not yet spoken to. His family and work colleagues have stated he was behaving normally in both the days before and after Alice’s disappearance.

Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command

Det Supt Mehta said that the 41-year-old had been convicted of murder in his country and was also arrested on suspicion of indecent assault in the Ealing area in 2009. The officer said: “The conviction was in 1998 and he served a custodial sentence of seven years.” A reward of up to £20,000 ($32,600) is being offered for anyone who has information that leads police to find the missing girl. Mr Zalkalns has been in UK since 2007. He has a partner and young child living in Ealing. He had been working as a labourer on a building site in Isleworth, west London, before his disappearance. Police say he left his passport, has not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone since, in a disappearance that is said to be out of character.

This remains an investigation focused on finding Alice, clearly we are also seeking Arnis in respect of her disappearance and we urgently need to find him and question him about that.

Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command

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