Body found in search for two-year-old boy

Body found in search for two-year-old boy

A body has been found in the search for two-year-old Xielo Maruziva, who fell into the River Soar on Sunday 18 February.

The body was found earlier this morning (Thursday) following workers carrying out work in the area of Aylestone Meadows near the River Soar.

The body has been recovered and formal identification will now take place.

Specialist officers are providing support to Xielo’s family.

HM Coroner has been informed.

Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said: “This is devastating news and our thoughts are with Xielo’s family. We are so sorry to bring them this news which we were all dreading and our full support is being provided to them at this most difficult time.

“Formal identification will now take place and we ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this time.

“Full support is also being provided to the workers who were in the area of Aylestone Meadows this morning and I want to thank them for their support and co-operation in the most horrendous and unimaginable circumstances.”

Police were first called to the River Soar in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane, at around 5pm on Sunday 18 February after Xielo fell into the water.

Despite the best efforts of people who were at the scene they were not able to locate Xielo.

A dedicated search was launched for Xielo with a number of specialist teams deployed to the area.

ACC Kerr added: “Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the search for Xielo for your dedicated work in extremely traumatic circumstances and an extremely complex search. Thank you also to our communities and wider members of the public for your continued support.”