Heartbreaking Search for Noah Woods Ends with Tragic Discovery

Updated 18:36 16 Sep 2026 GMT+1Published 17:48 16 Sep 2026 GMT+1

He went missing from a playground yesterday

Police have confirmed that they have found a body during the search for three-year-old Noah Woods.

The partially deaf toddler went missing from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk at around 3pm yesterday (Tuesday 15 September).

Earlier today, it was confirmed that the search had been extended to a specialist diving team, with more than 1,000 volunteers helping look for the toddler.

A spokesperson from Met Police said: "A specialist diving team at the Met Police has been deployed to support Suffolk Police with the ongoing searches for missing boy Noah Woods."

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Supt Tom Pearse has just confirmed that dive teams have recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond.

During a press conference, the superintendent suggested that it is believed that the body belongs to Noah.

Supt Tom Pearse said: “Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of Noah Woods have been informed of this development.

Noah Woods went missing on Tuesday (Family Handout/Suffolk Police/PA Wire)

“The discovery of the body is currently being treated as not suspicious but unexplained.”

He went on: "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 Hazardous Area Response Team, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, 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 heartwarming 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."

Police previously released CCTV images of Noah's last known movements (PA)

The toddler first became separated from a relative in the playground, and it is thought that he ran down an alleyway and was out of sight.

Police described him as partially deaf, non-verbal and undergoing an assessment for autism, adding that he would not respond to his name.

CCTV footage from the playground had shown Noah's last movements in the playground, but his whereabouts had remained a mystery.

His father Rhys issued a heartbreaking plea to the public as hundreds joined the search for the youngster, saying: “I cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone, please don’t give up on him guys. He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you.”

Extensive search operations had been launched in the wake of Noah first going missing, with sniffer dogs, an overhead helicopter and rescue teams all deployed, until the search led them to the nearby Decoy Pond.

Volunteers queuing to help with the search (PA)

More than 1,300 members of the public joined the search for Noah, including mum-of-two Melissa Dark, who told ITV: "It's been an overwhelming response from the community.

"It shows the best of humanity and how people come together in a time of need for that family. Every half an hour this room has been full of people trying to help."

Meanwhile, chairman of Brantham Paris Council Mal Bridgeman told the BBC: "I am astonished, warmed, to see so much generosity and spirit from people. Everyone wants to help, everyone wants to do their bit.

"There's been people out all night, we have had people come this morning as far afield as Birmingham, we've had specialists from Hampshire, just moved by Noah's story to come and help."

Police cordoned off the lake earlier today (PA)

Superintendent Pete Partridge said in a statement yesterday: “We are very concerned for Noah’s welfare and need to find him as a matter of urgency.

“A vast number of resources have been deployed by ourselves, our emergency services colleagues and volunteers from SULSAR (Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue). These resources have been bolstered by members of the public who have turned out in large numbers to assist and we are incredibly grateful for their help and support.

“Given that fast-moving nature of the investigation, it is important that any public searches are co-ordinated with police to ensure we are working together, and that our resources are directed where they can be most effective.”

Featured Image Credit: Suffolk Constabulary