The prime suspect in the murder of Alice Gross was identified by dental records, an inquest has heard.

The body of Arnis Zalkalns, 41, was discovered in Boston Manor Park, west London, on October 4, four days after the teenager's body was found.

The coroner said a post mortem examination found the cause of death was 'consistent with hanging'.

Arnis Zalkalns, Alice Gross and a CCTV footage of Zalkalns on the canal


This morning's inquest at West London Coroner's Court was opened and adjourned until December.

Convicted killer Zalkalns' decomposed body was found hanging in dense woodland, the court heard.

Coroner's officer Lana Atkinson told the court: "Mr Zalkalns was found on October 4 and his body was found suspended by his neck in dense woodland in Boston Manor Park adjacent to the canal.

"A post-mortem conducted on October 6 found a conditional cause of death is consistent with hanging. There is no evidence of third party involvement."

The coroner's officer added police were still investigating the case.

Zalkalns had served seven years in prison in his native country for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife Rudite to death before moving to the UK in 2007.

CCTV captured Zalkalns cycling behind Alice on a tow path on the day she disappeared.

Alice, from Hanwell, in west London, disappeared on August 28.

Her body was found wrapped and weighted down in a shallow stretch of the River Brent on September 30.

Alice's inquest was opened and adjourned on October 10 .