THE SEARCH IS OVER — BUT NOT THE WAY BRANTHAM HAD HOPED

For more than 24 hours, hundreds of people searched desperately for three-year-old Noah Woods, hoping every passing minute might bring the news his family had been praying for.

Instead, police have confirmed that the body recovered from Decoy Pond in Brantham, Suffolk, is Noah.

The heartbreaking discovery brings an end to a huge search involving around 1,300 members of the public, police officers, search dogs, helicopters, firefighters, coastguard teams and specialist divers.

Noah disappeared at around 2:37 p.m. on September 15, after becoming separated from a relative following a visit to a nearby playground.

CCTV showed the three-year-old running down an alleyway before he disappeared from sight.

Within hours, Brantham was transformed into the centre of a massive search operation.

Residents searched streets and fields. Specialist teams examined waterways and surrounding areas. Volunteers travelled from outside Suffolk to help.

Then, on Wednesday afternoon, Metropolitan Police divers searching Decoy Pond recovered the body of a child.

Police initially said the discovery was believed to be Noah. His identity was later formally confirmed.

Suffolk Constabulary has said the death is not being treated as suspicious, although the circumstances remain unexplained and further enquiries will be carried out for the coroner.

Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, paid tribute to his son, describing him as “the sweetest and most innocent little boy.”

Now, flowers, toys and messages are being left near the playground where Noah was last seen as the community comes to terms with a devastating loss.

For more than a day, Brantham searched for a little boy they hoped would come home.

He did not.