Suffolk Search Ends After Child’s Body Found Near Brantham Playground

Police in Suffolk have confirmed that a child’s body was recovered from Decoy Pond during the search for three-year-old Noah Woods, who went missing from a playground in Brantham on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

Noah was last seen at about 3:00 p.m. BST near the play area on Merriam Close. CCTV recorded earlier that afternoon showed him playing at the park. Officers said he became separated from a relative and was believed to have run down an alleyway toward a new housing estate. He was described as non-verbal and partially deaf. Police said he would not necessarily respond if his name was called.

The disappearance triggered a large multi-agency search led by Suffolk Police, with support from search helicopters, fire and rescue crews, HM Coastguard, dog units, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, and specialist divers from the Metropolitan Police. About 1,300 members of the public also joined the effort. Searches later widened toward East Bergholt and Manningtree, across the Essex border.

On Wednesday afternoon, 16 September, Superintendent Tom Pearse said a child’s body had been found in Decoy Pond, about 320 metres (0.2 miles) from where Noah was last seen. The family was informed. Formal identification had not been completed at the time of that first announcement. Police said the discovery was being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, and that the coroner would be notified.

Speaking to reporters that evening, Supt Pearse thanked people who had come out to help. “As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help,” he said. He described the turnout as typical of the strong community response in Suffolk.

Later reporting confirmed that the body was identified as Noah Woods. His father, Rhys Woods, publicly described his son as “the sweetest and most innocent little boy” and said the family was heartbroken. Police have asked the public to give the family space and privacy.

The case remains a matter for the coroner. There has been no public indication of criminal involvement.

Sources

• BBC News, “Body found in search for missing Suffolk boy Noah Woods, 3” (16 September 2026)
• The Guardian, “Body found in search for three-year-old Noah Woods” (16 September 2026)
• Suffolk Police statements via Superintendent Tom Pearse
• The Times; East Anglian Daily Times; The Independent follow-up reporting on identification and the search operation