Acid-attack woman Bethany Storro 'did it herself'

(AP)

A US woman who gained sympathy worldwide after she claimed a random attacker threw acid in her face has admitted carrying out the attack herself.

Bethany Storro admitted under questioning to fabricating a story about the attack, in which she suffered severe burns, police said.

Vancouver police chief Clifford Cook said he did not know a motive for Storro's actions, but added she was "very remorseful."

He said Storro was still being interviewed by detectives.

The police chief said that "during the course of the investigation, several discrepancies began to emerge regarding the alleged attack," leading police to search her home earlier yesterday and interview her.

"During the interview, Ms. Storro admitted the injuries were self-inflicted," Cook said.

Police had been seeking a black woman with a ponytail after Storro described the August 30 attack.

She had said the woman asked her, "Hey, pretty girl, want something to drink?" then threw acid in her face.

After the incident, Storro made several media appearances, but a planned interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show was cancelled.

She said she had received correspondence from people around the world concerned for her well being.

Vancouver police Commander Marla Schuman said detectives were working on a way to return any money donated to Storro.

Cook said any decision to charge Storro with a crime would be left to prosecutors.

A surgeon who operated on Storro said the substance thrown on her face was an acid as strong as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid.