NOAH WOODS INQUEST REVEALS HOW THREE-YEAR-OLD LEFT PLAYGROUND BEFORE HE WAS FOUND DEAD

A three-year-old boy who was found dead in a Suffolk pond after a huge search had left a children’s play area through a gap in the fence, an inquest has heard.

Noah Woods, from East Bergholt, Suffolk, disappeared on the afternoon of September 15, 2026, after visiting an under-fives play area in Merriam Close, Brantham, with a relative.

His disappearance triggered a major search involving police, emergency services and around 1,300 members of the public.

NOAH LEFT THROUGH A GAP IN THE FENCE

At the inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court on September 25, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick said Noah was being cared for by relatives as part of his normal routine.

CCTV showed Noah playing with his relative at the playground.

The first footage was recorded at 2:13 p.m., while the last sighting showed Noah playing at approximately 2:37 p.m.

DCI Connick explained that the CCTV cameras were motion-activated and therefore did not provide continuous footage.

He said Noah then left the play area through a gap in the fence, entering a memorial garden before continuing through an open gate.

The youngster headed in the direction of Decoy Pond, while the relative followed closely behind and tried to keep up with him.

The relative shouted after Noah, but after approximately 200 metres, the child could no longer be seen.

Police were immediately contacted and a large-scale search operation began.

BODY FOUND IN DECOY POND

The search continued through the day and into the following afternoon.

On September 16, Metropolitan Police divers recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond.

DCI Connick told the inquest that Noah was found approximately five metres from the bank, among submerged tree roots.

The water at that location was estimated to be around 1.8 metres deep.

Paramedics confirmed Noah’s death at 4:31 p.m.

His mother, Charlie Peck, later formally identified his body at Ipswich Hospital.

A postmortem examination was carried out at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, but the medical cause of death remains pending further investigation.

Suffolk Police have said Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

1,300 PEOPLE JOINED THE SEARCH

Noah’s disappearance prompted an extraordinary response from the local community.

Around 1,300 members of the public joined specialist police teams and emergency services in searching for the missing child.

HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue and the Metropolitan Police Dive Team were among those involved.

The search continued for more than 24 hours before Noah was found.

The discovery brought a devastating end to the massive operation that had united the local community.

FAMILY REMEMBERS ‘HAPPY, CHEEKY, PLAYFUL’ NOAH

Noah’s family has asked people to remember him for the happiness he brought to those around him.

In a tribute released through Suffolk Police, they described him as a “happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy” who loved to laugh and giggle.

They said Noah was at the centre of a loving family and adored his baby brother.

The family also said Noah had been undergoing an assessment for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis. He had mild hearing loss and was speech-delayed, but was learning new words and had recently begun finding and using his voice.

His father, Rhys Woods, described him as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give.”

FAMILY ASKS PARENTS TO CHERISH EVERY MOMENT

Noah’s mother Charlie has also urged other parents to appreciate every moment with their children.

The family said they wanted Noah to be remembered as the happy little boy who ran, played, laughed and explored.

The community has continued to show its support, with football clubs and supporters paying tribute to the three-year-old following his death.

The inquest was opened and adjourned on September 25, with a further date yet to be fixed.

For Noah’s family, the questions surrounding the final moments of his short life remain deeply painful.

As investigators continue their enquiries, those who knew him say they want his memory to be defined not by the tragedy of his death, but by the laughter, love and joy he brought to his family.