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

The father of three-year-old Noah Woods has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his son after the toddler was found dead following a huge search operation in Suffolk, England.

Noah disappeared on the afternoon of September 15, after becoming separated from a relative during a visit to a playground in Brantham.

His disappearance sparked a massive search involving police, emergency services, specialist teams and around 1,300 members of the public who came together to search the village and surrounding areas.

The following day, Metropolitan Police divers recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham. Suffolk Police later confirmed that the child was Noah.

Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious, although enquiries were continuing and the coroner was informed.

“WE ARE ALL ABSOLUTELY HEARTBROKEN”

Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, described his son as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy” and said he had “nothing but love to give.”

“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken,” Rhys wrote in a message shared with the community.

He thanked the emergency services and the hundreds of people who joined the search, saying their compassion had given the family comfort and strength during the darkest period of their lives.

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

Rhys also said it had been a privilege to be Noah’s parent and described the enormous impact the little boy had made on people during his short life.

FAMILY WANTS NOAH REMEMBERED FOR HIS JOY

In a separate family statement released through Suffolk Police, Noah was remembered as a “happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy” who loved to laugh and giggle.

His family said he brought joy wherever he went and was at the center of a loving family with his parents and baby brother.

They also described the special bond between Noah and his younger brother and said his affectionate nature was one of the things they would remember most.

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

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

WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE NOAH DISAPPEARED?

An inquest into Noah’s death was opened in Ipswich on September 25.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that Noah had been playing in an under-fives area with a relative as part of what was described as his normal routine.

CCTV showed Noah playing at the playground, with the last recorded footage showing him at around 2:37 p.m.

Investigators said Noah then left the play area through a gap in the fence, entered a nearby memorial garden and went through an open gate.

His relative attempted to follow him and shouted after him, but lost sight of the toddler after about 200 metres.

Police were called and the large-scale search began.

The next day, a Metropolitan Police diver found Noah in Decoy Pond, approximately five metres from the bank and among submerged tree roots.

The inquest heard that the medical cause of death was still pending further investigation, and the hearing was adjourned.

A COMMUNITY UNITED BY GRIEF

The search for Noah brought together people from across Suffolk and beyond.

More than a thousand members of the public joined emergency crews in the desperate effort to find him.

After his death was confirmed, flowers, toys and other tributes were placed around the village and at the playground where he had last been seen. Football figures and clubs also paid tribute to the little boy.

For Noah’s family, however, the three-year-old will always be remembered not for the tragedy surrounding his death, but for the laughter, affection and happiness he brought into their lives.

“That is who Noah was, and that is how he deserves to be remembered.”