A body has been found in the search for three-year-old Noah Woods, Suffolk Police confirmed this evening, as volunteers broke down in tears following the discovery.
The toddler, who is partially deaf and non-verbal, went missing from a village playground in Brantham, Suffolk on Tuesday after being separated from a relative. CCTV footage of his last known movements showed Noah playing on a roundabout.
Discovery in Decoy Pond
Police announced that divers had recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond, and that Noah's family has been informed. Formal identification has yet to take place, and the discovery is currently being treated as not "suspicious but unexplained".
As the police chief leading the search made the announcement, many volunteers openly wept. Minutes later, there were emotional scenes as hundreds of searchers left the nearby countryside and streamed back into the Suffolk village.
Some stopped at the playground where Noah was last seen to bow their heads and pay their last respects. Mums clutched their children's hands more tightly as the village started to come to terms with the news.
Police Statement
In a statement published at 5.49pm, Suffolk Constabulary said police dive teams had "sadly recovered the body of a child" from Decoy Pond in Brantham.
Superintendent Tom Pearse, whose voice was cracking with emotion, said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with Noah's family and all who knew him.
"Since Noah was reported as missing vast number of our officers and staff have been deployed in numerous functions in the search for Noah and support for his family. We've been supported by the National Police Air Service, Suffolk HART, SULSAR, Environment Agency, HM Coastguard, Fire and Rescue Service and the ambulance service. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us search.
"As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heart-warming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place. I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this."
Community Response
A volunteer search involved around 1,300 members of the public, with efforts co-ordinated from a local church hall. The multi-agency search included the National Police Air Service, Suffolk Hazardous Area Response Team, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, the Environment Agency, HM Coastguard, firefighters and the ambulance service.
After the tragic news emerged, one searcher, Sophie Reece, 29, from Ipswich, said: "This is shattering news. Everyone is so upset. We all hoped we'd find him. I'm so sorry for his family."
Brantham Parish Council issued a statement saying: "Our thoughts are with Noah's family, friends and everyone who knows and loves him at this incredibly difficult time.
"We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Brantham residents and the wider community. The response over the past couple of days has been extraordinary. So many people have given their time, searched, brought supplies, opened buildings, supported volunteers and stood together as a community.
"Your kindness, care and willingness to help has been truly remarkable. At this time, we ask everyone to please respect the family's privacy and give them the time and space they need."
Timeline of Disappearance
Suffolk Police released CCTV stills and footage of Noah in the play area in the Suffolk village taken at 2.37pm on Tuesday, a few moments before he vanished. It is thought that he ran down an alleyway beside the playground towards a nearby new-build housing estate. The surrounding area includes woods and a pond and is near the River Stour and a railway.
Noah was wearing a white T-shirt with the TV character Bluey on, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.
Noah's dad Rhys had issued an impassioned plea to help find his missing son. Earlier he posted on social media: "Hi all, Thank every single one of you who have taken part in the search for our boy Noah.
"This means knowing our boy, he has gone even further, could I ask that all of you brilliant people out there today expand further if you are able to? Reference where I have outlined, and maybe even further than this. He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you."
Supt Pearse had been so moved by the response he went to address the massed throng standing patiently outside Brantham village hall awaiting instructions on where to search. He told them: "I give my heartfelt thanks to all of you coming out here today. From what I have seen, it is an unbelievably special community. You have demonstrated that by the way you have all come together. I want to pass on the thanks of Noah's family. They are unbelievably grateful and blown away by your support."
One local told the reporter: "It is the very worst of days - but humanity has shone through today."
The play area where Noah went missing remains sealed off.
