Father of Noah Woods pays tribute to ‘most innocent little boy’ after missing three-year-old found dead

The father of Noah Woods has paid tribute to him as “the sweetest and most innocent little boy” after his body was discovered close to where he went missing on Wednesday.

A desperate search had been launched for Noah, who is mildly autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss, after he vanished when separated from a relative near a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, on Tuesday afternoon.

More than 24 hours after his disappearance, police confirmed that dive teams had recovered a child’s body from a lake known locally as Decoy Pond.

The force confirmed on Thursday that the body had been identified as Noah.

Writing on Facebook on Thursday, his father, Rhys Woods, said: “As I’m sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah.

“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much.”

He added: “It seems he has made an impact across the whole nation, you have all taken Noah into you’re own hearts, with all the overwhelming help, we were all just trying to bring him home to us safe and sound.”

Around 1,300 volunteers turned out to help find Noah on Wednesday, and search efforts were supported by the National Police Air Service, HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, and Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue.

Suffolk Police confirmed late on Wednesday afternoon that the body of a child had been found and the discovery was being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Noah’s father thanked volunteers and authorities, writing: “The compassion shown by all of you will never be forgotten by us, and brought us comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives.

“This was the most heartbreaking outcome for us, we were just hoping that he would be hiding somewhere obvious where someone could find him, that’s what we kept telling ourselves the whole time.”

He added: “Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much, it has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short 3 years you were with us.”

Mr Woods previously issued a desperate plea for the public “not to give up on” the young boy, saying he “cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone.”

Suffolk Police superintendent Tom Pearse said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all who knew him.

“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us search.

“As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heart-warming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place. I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this.”

He added: “This was a case where the people of Suffolk rallied together and showed the county at its best in what transpired to be the most tragic of circumstances.”