Search for Noah Woods ends in tragedy after body found in Suffolk pond

The search for three-year-old Noah Woods in Brantham, Suffolk, has ended in tragedy. Suffolk Police confirmed that a child’s body recovered from Decoy Pond on 16 September was formally identified as Noah the following day. His family has been informed. Officers said the death is not being treated as suspicious, though inquiries continue before a file is submitted to the coroner.

Noah was last seen on the afternoon of 15 September after becoming separated from a relative at the playground in Merriam Close. CCTV recorded his last confirmed sighting at 2:37 p.m., showing him in the park before he ran down an alleyway towards a nearby housing estate and the area around Decoy Pond.

Police said Noah was non-verbal, had partial hearing loss and was undergoing an autism assessment, meaning he might not have responded to his name. Those factors made the search especially difficult.

A large operation followed. Specialist officers, dog units, helicopters, HM Coastguard, fire and rescue crews, search-and-rescue teams and other agencies took part, alongside about 1,300 members of the public who searched Brantham and the surrounding area.

On Wednesday afternoon, Metropolitan Police dive-team officers recovered a child’s body from Decoy Pond. Identification was still pending at that stage. On 17 September, Suffolk Constabulary confirmed the child was Noah.

Police have said there is currently no indication of criminality. Remaining inquiries will examine the circumstances of Noah’s death. The coroner will determine the formal cause and circumstances.

Suffolk Constabulary has asked the public to respect the family’s privacy.

Souce: https://www.theguardian.com/