The search for three-year-old Noah Woods in Brantham, Suffolk, has ended in tragedy. Suffolk Constabulary confirmed that a child recovered from Decoy Pond on September 16 was formally identified as Noah the following day. His family has been informed.

Police said Noah’s death is not currently being treated as suspicious. Enquiries remain ongoing, with a report expected to be submitted to the coroner.

Noah was reported missing on the afternoon of September 15 after becoming separated from a relative near the Merriam Close playground. CCTV captured his last confirmed sighting at approximately 2:37 p.m., showing him in the playground before he moved through a nearby alleyway toward a residential area and the vicinity of Decoy Pond.

The footage became an important part of the investigation, helping officers establish Noah’s last known movements.

Police said Noah was non-verbal, partially deaf and undergoing an autism assessment. These circumstances presented additional challenges for the search teams working to locate him.

A large-scale search operation was launched across Brantham and the surrounding area. Specialist police officers, search dogs, helicopters, HM Coastguard, fire and rescue crews, volunteers and other emergency services took part.

Around 1,300 members of the public also joined the search, demonstrating the scale of the community response.

On September 16, Metropolitan Police dive-team officers recovered a child from Decoy Pond. Identification was still pending at the time. Suffolk Constabulary confirmed the following day that the child was Noah.

The discovery brought an end to an extensive search involving emergency services and members of the local community.

Police have emphasized that there is currently no indication of criminality or suspicious circumstances. Investigators will continue examining the circumstances surrounding Noah’s death, while the coroner will determine the formal cause and circumstances.

Suffolk Constabulary has asked the public to respect Noah’s family’s privacy during this difficult period.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities will establish the circumstances surrounding Noah’s final known movements as part of