The investigation into three-year-old Noah Woods’ death is now moving toward the coroner stage, with Suffolk Police confirming that several enquiries still need to be completed before the case file is formally submitted.

Noah disappeared on September 15 after becoming separated from a relative at the playground in Merriam Close, Brantham. Police said he ran down the alley beside the playground toward the nearby new-build estate and Decoy Pond, prompting an urgent search across the village and surrounding areas.

During the search, officers released CCTV showing Noah at the playground shortly before he vanished. Because Noah was non-verbal and partially deaf, police warned that he might not respond when searchers called his name, making the operation even more difficult.

The search ended the following afternoon when Metropolitan Police divers recovered a child’s body from Decoy Pond. Formal identification later confirmed it was Noah. Suffolk Police have said his death is not being treated as suspicious, but the force still has outstanding enquiries to finish before sending its findings to the coroner.

The response was enormous. Around 1,300 members of the public joined specialist police teams, firefighters, coastguard personnel, search-and-rescue volunteers, air support and dive teams in trying to find him.

The community support has continued after the search. More than £100,000 was raised for Noah’s family within days, with over 6,000 people donating. Flowers and other tributes were also left near the playground.

The central unanswered question is now exactly how Noah reached the pond after leaving the playground. Police have not announced evidence of foul play, so the next significant information is expected to come from the completion of the police enquiries and the coroner’s process.