NOAH WOODS INQUEST REVEALS HOW THREE-YEAR-OLD LEFT PLAYGROUND BEFORE TRAGIC DEATH

The final movements of three-year-old Noah Woods have been revealed at an inquest after the Suffolk toddler disappeared from a playground and was later found dead in a nearby pond.

Noah, from Brantham, Suffolk, became separated from a relative on the afternoon of September 15, 2026, after visiting an under-fives play area on Merriam Close.

A major search operation was launched after he disappeared, involving emergency services, specialist police teams and around 1,300 members of the public.

His body was recovered from nearby Decoy Pond the following afternoon.

Suffolk Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

NOAH LEFT THROUGH A GAP IN THE FENCE

An inquest into Noah’s death was opened and adjourned at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich on September 25.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that Noah had been in the care of relatives as part of his normal routine that day.

CCTV footage showed Noah playing with a relative inside the playground.

The first recorded footage was at approximately 2:13 p.m., while Noah was last seen playing at around 2:37 p.m.

However, DCI Connick explained that the CCTV system was motion-activated and therefore did not provide continuous footage of the playground.

According to the detective, Noah then left the play area through a gap in the fence leading towards a memorial garden.

He subsequently passed through an open gate and headed in the direction of Decoy Pond.

His relative followed behind him and attempted to keep up.

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

Police were then called and a large-scale search began.

HUGE SEARCH ENDS IN TRAGEDY

The search for Noah quickly grew into a major community effort.

Police officers and specialist search teams were joined by HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service, the Metropolitan Police Dive Team, ambulance personnel and volunteers from Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue.

Around 1,300 members of the public also took part in the search.

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, within submerged tree roots.

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

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

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

A post-mortem examination was carried out at Addenbrooke’s Hospital mortuary in Cambridge.

The inquest heard that the medical cause of death remained pending further investigation.

FAMILY REMEMBERS NOAH AS A “HAPPY, CHEEKY, PLAYFUL” BOY

Following his death, Noah’s family released an emotional tribute through Suffolk Police.

They asked that he be remembered for the personality and happiness he brought to those around him.

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

They said he was at the centre of a loving family with his mother, father and baby brother.

Noah had been undergoing an assessment for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis. His family also said he had mild hearing loss and was speech delayed.

Despite those challenges, they said he had been learning every day and had recently started using new words and finding his voice.

The family also described Noah’s relationship with his baby brother as particularly special.

They said he adored his brother, loved entertaining him and always wanted to be close to him.

MOTHER’S HEARTBREAKING MESSAGE

Noah’s mother, Charlie, made an emotional request to other parents following the tragedy.

She said:

“If there is one thing we could ask of people, it is to hold their children a little tighter, cherish every moment, and never take those precious memories for granted.”

His father, Rhys Woods, had previously described Noah as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy”, saying he had “nothing but love to give.”

He also thanked the emergency services and members of the public who searched for his son.

The family said the support they received from the community and beyond had been overwhelming and that Noah would be loved and remembered forever.

A COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO REMEMBER HIM

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

People travelled from surrounding areas to help search Brantham, while flowers, toys and other tributes were left near the playground where he was last seen.

The football community also paid tribute.

Ipswich Town and Everton supporters remembered Noah during their Premier League meeting, with players wearing black armbands and fans observing a minute of applause.

A fundraising campaign established to support Noah’s family had also attracted more than £100,000 from thousands of supporters within days of his death.

For the people of Brantham, the tragedy has left a lasting sense of grief after a huge search that had initially brought hope that Noah would be found safe.

The inquest into his death has now been adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

For his family, however, the focus remains on remembering the little boy they loved.

Noah Woods was three years old.

His family says he brought laughter, affection and joy into their lives — and that he will never be forgotten.