NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN NOAH WOODS CASE AS INQUEST HEARS HOW 3-YEAR-OLD LEFT PLAYGROUND

New details have emerged about the final moments before 3-year-old Noah Woods disappeared from a playground in Suffolk, as an inquest into his death was opened.

Noah went missing on September 15, 2026, after visiting a children’s play area in Merriam Close, Brantham, with a relative.

His disappearance triggered a huge search involving emergency services, specialist teams and around 1,300 members of the public.

The following afternoon, Metropolitan Police divers recovered Noah’s body from Decoy Pond, a lake near the playground.

HOW NOAH LEFT THE PLAYGROUND

At the inquest in Ipswich on September 25, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick provided new details about what happened.

CCTV footage showed Noah playing with his relative inside the under-fives play area.

Police said he then left the play area through a gap in the fence, entering a memorial garden through an open gate.

Noah then headed in the direction of Decoy Pond.

According to the evidence presented at the hearing, his relative followed closely behind and attempted to keep up with him.

The relative shouted after Noah, but after approximately 200 metres, the child was no longer visible.

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

A MASSIVE SEARCH FOR THE LITTLE BOY

The search quickly grew into a major operation.

Police and emergency services were joined by specialist search teams, divers, firefighters, ambulance crews and members of the public.

Approximately 1,300 people from the community joined the effort to find Noah.

Volunteers searched roads, fields, construction areas and locations around the village.

The enormous response continued through the night and into the following day.

But on September 16, the search ended in heartbreaking circumstances.

A Metropolitan Police dive team found Noah in Decoy Pond.

His body was located approximately five metres from the bank, among submerged tree roots. The water at that point was estimated to be around 1.8 metres deep.

POLICE SAY THERE IS NO SUSPICION OF CRIMINALITY

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

The force initially described the circumstances as unexplained while enquiries continued.

Following the recovery of his body, police said they still had a number of enquiries to complete before submitting a file to the coroner.

The inquest has now been opened and adjourned, with a further hearing to take place at a later date.

A post-mortem examination has taken place, but the medical cause of death remains subject to further investigation.

NOAH’S FAMILY REMEMBER HIM AS A HAPPY LITTLE BOY

After his death, Noah’s family released a deeply personal tribute.

They described him as a happy, cheeky and playful three-year-old who loved laughing and brought joy to everyone around him.

Noah lived with his mother, father and baby brother.

His family said he had an incredibly close relationship with his younger brother and loved entertaining him and making him laugh.

They also said Noah was being assessed for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis. He had mild hearing loss and delayed speech.

Despite those challenges, his family said he was learning new words and had only recently begun finding and using his voice.

They said one of the things they would miss most was the sound of that unique little voice.

TUESDAY TRIPS TO THE PARK

The family also revealed that visiting the park had been part of Noah’s routine since he was born.

Every Tuesday, he would visit the park with a treasured relative.

The family described their relationship as incredibly special, recalling how they would play chase, run around and explore the equipment together.

It was during one of these regular visits that Noah disappeared.

What began as an ordinary afternoon quickly became an enormous search involving thousands of people.

AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT

The tragedy brought an extraordinary response from the local community and beyond.

Around 1,300 people joined the physical search for Noah.

A fundraising campaign was also established to support his family as they grieve.

Within days, more than £100,000 had been raised by more than 6,000 donors. The money was intended to help the family with expenses and allow them time away from work during their bereavement.

The fundraising organisers said the response had been an extraordinary display of kindness and compassion.

Noah’s family have said they are deeply grateful for the support.

A FAMILY STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS

The latest inquest has provided a clearer picture of how Noah left the playground and how the search unfolded.

But several questions remain under investigation, including the circumstances surrounding his death.

For now, authorities have not suggested that another person was responsible.

The inquest has been adjourned while further investigations continue.

For Noah’s family, however, the focus remains on remembering the little boy they loved.

A child who loved hugs, laughter and spending time with his baby brother.

A child whose disappearance brought an entire community together.

And a little boy whose family now wants him to be remembered not for the tragedy of his final day, but for the happiness he brought to those around him.