Body Found in Search for Missing 3-Year-Old Noah Woods, Police Say

BRANTHAM, England — Police have confirmed that a body was found in the search for missing 3-year-old Noah Woods, whose disappearance prompted a large-scale effort by officers and more than 1,000 volunteers in this Suffolk village.

Noah was last seen Tuesday afternoon at about 3 p.m. BST after playing in a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, according to Suffolk Police. The search that followed drew emergency crews and members of the public to the area as concern for the boy grew.

Superintendent Tom Pearse of Suffolk Police said dive teams recovered the body of a child from a nearby pond. The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, he said.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, but Noah’s family has been informed of the development, Pearse added.

“Our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all those who knew him,” Pearse said. “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support and people putting on their boots to help.”

The discovery brings a painful turn to a search that had drawn widespread attention and community support, with volunteers joining police efforts to locate the toddler. Investigators have not released further details about the circumstances, and authorities said more information would be provided as the inquiry continues.

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