Three-year-old Noah Woods went missing from Brantham, Suffolk, on September 15. More than 1,300 people joined the search for Noah. He was later found dead in a nearby pond, an inquest heard. His body was found the next day by police divers.
Divers from the Metropolitan Police searched Decoy Pond on September 16 in the area where Noah was last seen.
Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill called it a “very sad and tragic death” as she opened and then adjourned the inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich, as per BBC. Suffolk Police told the court that CCTV footage showed Noah in a play area being looked after by a relative, calling it “part of a normal routine,” as per Det Ch Insp Matt Connick’s statement to BBC. Connick said Noah then “left through a gap in the fence leading to the memorial garden where he left through an open gate.
After leaving the play area, Noah ran along a path on a nearby housing estate towards Decoy Pond, the inquest heard. A relative followed him and called out to him, but Noah went out of sight shortly after. Another man then joined the search before police were called.
Brantham Parish Council Expresses Condolences Following Tragic Incident
Brantham Parish Council has publicly expressed its sorrow following the death of Noah, stating it is “deeply saddened by Noah’s death.” The council oversees the play area at Merriam Close, where the incident occurred. In a recent statement, the council extended its condolences, saying, “Our thoughts remain with his family and all those affected at this extremely difficult time.”
Connick told the court that paramedics confirmed Noah’s death at 16:31 BST.
The court was told this “requires further investigation” before the final cause of death can be confirmed. His mother formally identified him at Ipswich Hospital later that evening. A post-mortem examination was carried out at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. Police are not treating Noah’s death as suspicious.
