THE body of Alice Gross was found submerged and wrapped in a plastic bag, an inquest heard today.

Coroner's officer John Chadwick said: "On September 30, as a result of a search of the River Brent, the body was found by London Fire Brigade divers.

"It was found submerged, wrapped in a bag, and had been weighted down. Alice was pronounced life extinct at 10.45pm."

Alice’s mother, Rosalind Hodgkiss, was present at West London Coroner’s Court as the inquest opened this morning.

Alice went missing from her Hanwell home on August 28 after walking along the Grand Union Canal towpath.

The prime suspect in the case, Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns, was found dead in Boston Manor Park on October 4.

Police continue to investigate.