Body found in search of two-year-old boy who fell into river

A body has been found in the search for a two-year-old boy who fell into a river in Leicester.

Xielo Maruziva went into the water while with his family on February 18, prompting a major search operation involving specialist teams.

Leicestershire Police said a body was found on Thursday morning after workers were in the Aylestone Meadows area near the River Soar.

The body has been recovered and formal identification will now take place, the force said.

More than 200 police officers are said to have been involved in the search for Xielo, with specialist diving teams and other organizations involved.

Despite their best efforts, the two-year-old was not found and the operation was scaled back about a month later.

Deputy Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said: “This is devastating news and our thoughts are with Xielo’s family.

“We are very sorry to bring them the news we have all been dreading and are being offered our full support at this most difficult time.”

The force said it had informed the coroner and asked for confidentiality for Xielo’s family.

Support is also being provided to discovery workers, ACC Kerr added.

In an earlier statement, Xielo’s mother described him as “a naughty, funny, friendly, intelligent, caring and independent little boy”.

Xielo’s father, who said his son “loved to love hugs, play with his toys and go to the park”, went into the water the day he went missing in an attempt to save him.

The search for the two-year-old boy was made “challenging” by poor weather conditions, police said at the time.

Specialist Group International (SGI), a private diving company that helped search for Nicola Bulley, who went missing in Lancashire in 2023, has joined police in the search for a second week following ‘contact with his family’ .

The search area has also been extended across the River Soar in Leicester due to concerns that Xielo may have traveled outside the Aylestone Meadows area.

Numerous witnesses who had been in the area in the moments after the two-year-old disappeared said the river had a “strong” current.

Aylestone town councilors Nigel Porter and Scott Kennedy-Lount shared their sadness at the news in a joint statement.

It reads: “We know that for Xielo’s parents and family this will be the most devastating news and it is a heartbreaking outcome.

“The people of Aylestone have been deeply affected by this tragedy and it has touched us all.”

Councilors added that the community would “without a doubt” offer support to Xielo’s family.

“Our thoughts are with Xielo’s family and our deepest sympathies,” they said.