Noah Woods: Heartbroken dad of missing toddler, 3, pays tribute to ‘innocent boy’
The three-year-old’s dad Rhys Woods has left an emotional message on Facebook where he says ‘there are no words to describe the pain of this loss’
Children lay flowers for Noah Woods in Brantham
The father of Noah Woods has said his son will be “loved forever” in a heartbreaking message after the discovery of his body in a pond near where the three-year-old was last seen.
Hundreds of volunteers as well as teams from the police, fire, coastguard and search and rescue had joined the desperate hunt for the toddler, who vanished after running from a play area in Brantham, Suffolk on Tuesday afternoon.
In an update yesterday, Superintendent Tom Pearse from Suffolk Police said that a child’s body had been discovered in nearby Decoy Pond. Police confirmed the body had been formally identified as Noah this afternoon.
Noah’s dad Rhys Woods has left an emotional tribute on Facebook saying Noah was “the sweetest and most innocent little boy”.
Rhys Woods has issued an emotional tribute to his son(Image: Facebook)
Rhys wrote on Facebook: “As I’m sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah.
“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken. Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much.
“It seems he has made an impact across the whole nation, you have all taken Noah into you’’re own hearts, with all the overwhelming help, we were all just trying to bring him home to us safe and sound.”
Rhys said Noah was the ‘sweetest most innocent’ little boy(Image: Suffolk Police)
Rhys thanked everyone who was involved in the search for the toddler saying their “compassion” will never be forgotten and that the tragedy has brought “comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives”.
He stated: “A heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community (even far and wide) who came together to search for our boy, including:
“Suffolk, Norfolk, Met police forces, HM coastguard, Suffolk lowland, Fire service, Ambulance service, RTT catering, brantham leisure centre, Brantham village hall, local businesses, ST Michael’s church, private K-9 units, and so many more, and all of the people who gave up their time in their busy schedules to help us when we most needed it.
“The compassion shown by all of you will never be forgotten by us, and brought us comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives.
Flowers and tributes left at the playground where Noah disappeared(Image: Humphrey Nemar.)
“This was the most heartbreaking outcome for us, we were just hoping that he would be hiding somewhere obvious where someone could find him, that’s what we kept telling ourselves the whole time,
“With our love and deepest gratitude, From his daddy and mummy and little brother. Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much, it has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short 3 years you were with us.”
Specialist dive teams from the Metropolitan Police had been called in to help with the hunt for Noah in Decoy Pond and were seen searching the water on Wednesday afternoon.
Noah, who disappeared after becoming separated from a relative, was non-verbal and partially deaf and would not have responded to his name if called.
CCTV footage was shared during the search for Noah of him in the playground before he disappeared (Image: Suffolk Police / SWNS)
As well as a massive ground search, helicopters, sniffer dogs, thermal imaging were used to try and find Noah, as officers went door to door and scoured CCTV.
Volunteers gathered in a garden area at Brantham Leisure Centre were brought to tears when Supt Pearse broke the news yesterday that a body had been found and that Noah’s family had been told.
His own voice cracked as he praised those gathered for helping in the search for the little boy. “First and foremost, our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all those who knew him,” he told a press conference at Brantham Leisure Centre on Wednesday.
“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.
Rhys thanked the local community for their support(Image: Humphrey Nemar.)
“I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this””
A message from Brantham Parish Council following the discovery of the body read: “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.”
