Suffolk Police are investigating “multiple reports” of a “disgusting” social media post released following the death of three-year-old Noah Woods.
Noah, aged three, was reported missing on the afternoon of Tuesday 15 September, when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close. He was reported to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards the new-build housing estate and Decoy Pond.
Large-scale search launched
A large-scale missing person investigation was launched involving specialist police search teams, assisted by emergency services colleagues from HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service and the Metropolitan Police Dive Team, along with volunteers from SULSAR (Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue). Further support was provided by the East of England Ambulance Service – including Suffolk HART – and the Environment Agency. All of these resources were supplemented by a huge community response of approximately 1,300 members of the public who assisted with the search for Noah.
On Wednesday 16 September, officers from the Metropolitan Police Dive Team recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham and Noah was formally identified. Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious but police still have a number of enquiries to complete before submitting a file for the Coroner.
Backlash over social media post
Since the tragic news social media users have been sharing their condolences to Noah's family and loved ones but one user caused a huge backlash on Facebook after sharing a 'meme' making reference to Madeline McCann. Comments have now been removed from the post on Facebook, but a spokesman for Suffolk Police said: “We've had multiple reports of this and it is being looked into.”
One outraged social media user wrote: “This is disgusting and needs dealing with. Absolutely vile human to post something like that.” The post's creator posted today: “I'm sorry if my meme caused anyone any harm or serious offence. It was not my intention to distress anyone who may have been affected by my content.
“I have removed the post and I can only apologise for sharing something that causes so many people to feel some way about it. I saw it as dark humour and the timing couldn't have been any worse, I sincerely apologise and will accept any more abuse or death threats, as deserved.”
Fundraiser surpasses £80,000
The JustGiving page organised by Good Dads Club has surpassed £80,000 in donations with Ipswich Town footballer Leif Davis donating £2,000.
