Alice Gross' mother demands to know why convicted Latvian killer was allowed into Britain unchecked

Murdered: the body of schoolgirl Alice Gross was found concealed in the Grand Union canal
John Dunne @jhdunne28 June 2016
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The mother of tragic West London teen Alice Gross today demanded to know why a convicted murderer from Latvia had been allowed into the country unchecked.

Rosalind Hodgkiss spoke at the opening of the inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice to examine if failures by the police and Government contributed to her daughter's death.

Arnis Zalkalns, a convicted Latvian murderer, is believed to have killed 14 year-old Alice in a sexually motivated attack before hanging himself.

Alice’s body was found dumped in the River Brent in Hanwell, weighed down with bricks and logs, on September 30 2014.

A huge police search operation was mounted in an effort to trace her

There was no evidence of stab wounds, firearm wounds and nothing to suggest she had been beaten, the inquest heard.

Zalkalns, who is believed to have carried out the attack in August of that year, was found hanged in Boston Manor Park four days later.

His DNA was recovered from the crime scene.

Convicted killer: Zalkalns served seven years in prison after murdering his wife in Latvia

Police have said that Zalkalns would have been charged with the teen’s murder if he was still alive.

Her mother said: “Alice was a lively, popular, compassionate girl.

“We remain shocked a foreign national with a conviction was not monitored our even known about.

"It destroys our faith in the authorities’ ability to protect its citizens... I want answers so this can’t happen to another family.”

Tributes were left for Alice at Hanwell Clock Tower

An expert said that "date rape drug" GHB could have been used on the teenager before her death as there had been traces in her bloodstream.

But the inquest was told that the presence could occur naturally after death so no conclusion could be drawn.

Pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan concluded that the teenager was asphyxiated by the Latvian.

He said: "Alice Gross was clearly the victim of a homicide with likely sexual motive."

He said the cause of death was due to "compression asphyxia".

Her mother told the inquest that Alice was to pursue a career in music and was chosen to attend a prestigious workshop at Camden's Roundhouse venue.

Music lover: Alice Gross

She said: "She was a diligent person she had high standards. She was a very good musician.

"We have a lot of unanswered questions, we know we will not get to know exactly what happened that day but we hope to get some answers."

The inquest, which is due to last three weeks, continues.

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