Arnis Zalkans

The suspected killer of Hanwell teenager Alice Gross may have been carrying her body in a 5ft-long bag as he attempted to check into a hostel.

The claim has been made by Steven Mendonca, who was working at a homeless hostel in Harlesden, North West London, when Latvian builder and convicted murdered Arnis Zalkalns begged him for a room on September 5.

He said Zalkalns stared at him 'like a zombie' pleaded "help me boss, help me!" as he begged to be given a room. This was a week after 14-year-old Alice, went missing.

Mr Mendonca, 33 said: "I am convinced Alice’s body was inside. It was like a builder’s bag with a big strap and it was weighing him down.”

The incident was reported to police.

Alice's body was found hidden in the River Brent on September 30, almost a month after she went missing from her home in Hanwell. The body of Arnis Zalkalns, the prime suspect in her murder, was found hanging in woodland in Boston Manor Park on October 4. An inquest was later opened and adjourned.

Forensic tents at the site of where the body of Alice Gross was found.

The court heard how Alice's body was wrapped in a bag and weighted down in the river.

Police coroner's officer John Chadwick told the court: "This inquest touches the death of Alice Poppy Madeleine Gross. On August 20, Alice Gross, a 14-year-old schoolgirl went missing from her home in Hanwell, west London. A police investigation was started and on September 30, as a result of police searches of the River Brent her body was discovered."

Mr Chadwick continued: "The deceased was submerged, wrapped in a bag and weighted down. She was pronounced dead at 22.45pm by a police surgeon. The family were informed and Alice's body was transferred to Uxbridge Mortuary.

"A post mortem carried out at Uxbridge Mortuary by Doctor Ashley Fegan-Earl proved inconclusive. Identification was made by dental records and investigations are ongoing."

Alice Gross
Alice Gross

Arnis Zalkalns served seven years in prison in his native Latvia for murdering his wife Rudite. He had been living in Ealing with a new partner and child at the time of Brentside High School pupil, Alice's disappearance on August 28. CCTV had placed him on the Grand Union Canal towpath on a bicycle 15 minutes after Alice had walked past the spot.

Arnis Zalkalns who Metropolitan police want to talk to in connection with the disappearance of schoolgirl Alice Gross . Photo shows Arnis Zalkalns in hand cuffs showing a Latvian police officer where he had buried the body of his first wife Rudite who he had murdered in a forest near Riga Latvia Photo by Phil Harris Mirror News