“WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU” — FATHER OF 3-YEAR-OLD NOAH WOODS SHARES HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE

The father of three-year-old Noah Woods has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his son after the discovery of his body brought a devastating end to the search for the missing toddler.

Noah disappeared on the afternoon of September 15 after becoming separated from a relative while visiting a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, England.

A huge search operation was launched, with police, emergency services, specialist search teams and around 1,300 members of the public joining the effort to find him.

The following afternoon, Metropolitan Police divers recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond, a lake near the playground. Police later confirmed the child was Noah. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

“WE ARE ALL ABSOLUTELY HEARTBROKEN”

Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, paid tribute to his son in a message shared with the local community.

He described Noah as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy”, saying the three-year-old had “nothing but love to give.”

“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken,” Rhys wrote.

The grieving father said the family had spent the search hoping Noah might simply be hiding somewhere nearby and that someone would find him and bring him home safely.

He thanked the members of the community and emergency services who searched for his son, saying their compassion had brought the family comfort and strength during the darkest time of their lives.

“Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much,” Rhys wrote.

REMEMBERING NOAH AS THE HAPPY LITTLE BOY HE WAS

Following the opening of an inquest into Noah’s death, his family released another tribute asking people to remember him for the joy he brought to those around him.

They described Noah as a “happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy” who loved to laugh and giggle.

“He was part of a loving and caring family, living with his mummy, daddy and his little baby brother. He was at the centre of our world,” the family said.

The family also spoke about Noah’s close relationship with his younger brother, describing their bond as incredibly special.

They said Noah loved hugs and affection and had a unique little voice that the family would carry with them forever.

“Every Tuesday since the day he was born Noah went to the park with a treasured relative,” the family said, describing their weekly visits as moments filled with laughter and happiness.

WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE NOAH DISAPPEARED?

An inquest heard that Noah had been playing in an under-fives area with a relative on the afternoon of September 15.

CCTV showed him playing at the playground before he left the area through a gap in the fence leading toward a memorial garden.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that Noah then headed in the direction of Decoy Pond while his relative tried to keep up with him.

After about 200 metres, the relative lost sight of him and police were called. A large-scale search operation began soon afterwards.

Around 1,300 members of the public joined police and emergency crews in the search.

On September 16, a Metropolitan Police diver eventually found Noah in Decoy Pond, approximately five metres from the bank and among submerged tree roots.

His medical cause of death remains under further investigation, and the inquest has been adjourned until a later date.

A COMMUNITY THAT CAME TOGETHER FOR NOAH

The search for Noah sparked an extraordinary response from people across Suffolk and beyond.

Volunteers searched streets and surrounding areas alongside police officers, firefighters, coastguard teams, search-and-rescue volunteers and specialist divers.

After Noah’s death was confirmed, tributes were left in his community, while football clubs and supporters also remembered the little boy.

His family has thanked everyone who stood beside them during the search and in the aftermath of the tragedy.

For his parents, however, Noah will always be more than the little boy at the center of a heartbreaking news story.

He was their son, a beloved little brother and a child they say brought laughter, affection and joy wherever he went.

“Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten.”