Noah Woods’ father pays tribute to his ‘sweetest little boy’ following tragic discovery

Noah Woods’ father shares final message

His father, Rhys Woods, shared a heartbreaking message on Facebook on Thursday, remembering Noah as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy” and saying the family were struggling to come to terms with their loss.

He also expressed his gratitude to everyone who had helped during the search, which involved more than 1,000 people. 

Police officers, coastguards, paramedics and local residents all took part, with others travelling from further afield to help find the missing boy.

Noah disappeared on Tuesday afternoon after becoming separated from a relative while visiting a park on Merriam Close, near the Suffolk-Essex border. 

He was reported missing at around 3pm, prompting a major search across the village.

After more than a day of searching, his body was discovered in Decoy Pond shortly before 6pm on Wednesday.

Writing about his son, Mr Woods said: “There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken.”

He said the family had hoped the huge response would bring Noah home safely and described the support they received as a source of comfort during an “incredibly dark” time.

“Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much,” he wrote, adding that being his parents for three years had been “a privilege”.

A book of condolence has since been opened in Brantham, while Brantham Leisure Centre was made available on Thursday for people wishing to remember Noah or seek support.