What we know about death of two-year-old Xielo Maruziva who fell into river
Police have confirmed a body found at a nature reserve in Leicester is two-year-old Xielo Maruziva who fell into the River Soar in February.
A body found at a nature reserve in Leicester last week is a two-year-old boy who fell into a river in February, police have confirmed.
Xielo Maruziva fell into the River Soar at Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane, on 18 February, while he was with his family, prompting a major search operation.
His body was discovered last Thursday in the area by workers at the nature reserve and Leicestershire Police announced on Monday that he had been formally identified.
The force said its specialist officers continue to provide support to Xielo's family and that "full support" was being provided to workers in the area at the time of the discovery.
Assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr said: “We are so sorry to bring this news. This is a devastating and tragic incident and our thoughts are with all of Xielo’s family at this most difficult and unimaginable time."
Xielo's mother previously described her son as a "cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy".
She said: "He never fails to make me laugh or smile and always loves a cuddle and some kisses. Xielo loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons including Bino and Fino.
“Me, his dad and the whole family are so heartbroken at what has happened. We thank everyone who has supported us and helped us during this time. We are extremely grateful for this."
Yahoo News breaks down what we know and don't know after Xielo was formally identified.
What we know
Emergency services were called to the scene just after 5pm on Sunday, 18 February, with a search and rescue operation beginning in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane where Xielo entered the river.
Leicestershire Police said his father went into the river in an effort to rescue him and was taken to hospital that evening as a “as a precautionary measure”, but was later discharged.
At the time the force said it had received several offers of assistance from members of the public wanting to help out with the search - but urged them not to attend the scene because of rising water levels and safety risks.
On Monday, 19 February, the force made a renewed appeal and said it wanted to speak to a dog walker who was along the footpath near the Packhorse Bridge at about 5pm on the day he went missing. The force also said it wanted to hear from members of the public who may have spoken with officers in the area in the past day.
CCTV footage was recovered showing the moment the two-year-old fell into the fast-flowing river, which had burst its banks in parts of the nature reserve.
In a statement on 21 February, assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr said the force had "been truly overwhelmed by the support" they had been offered. Leicestershire Police also revealed Xielo's identity and released a photograph from his family.
Police also enlisted support from a diving team from from private company Specialist Group International (SGI), which had also helped in the search for Nicola Bulley.
The company and its chief executive, Peter Faulding, were involved in the search for Bulley, who disappeared along the River Wyre in Lancashire in January 2023. Despite an extensive search involving the private team and police, her body was found more than three weeks later in the river by a pair of walkers.
Faulding was criticised for his involvement in the search for Bulley, with a subsequent review by the College of Policing saying his behaviour "caused challenges" to the police search. In response, Faulding claimed he had found Bulley's body within six minutes of his search, but that his request to dive in that area was refused.
What we don't know
Leicestershire Police said the local boy was with his family when he fell into the river but the exact circumstances of what happened remain unknown.
While the police know the boy's father jumped into the river to save him, it is not known how exactly the toddler fell into the water.
Eyewitness accounts
A 65-year-old woman, who is a nurse, said she was standing on a bridge when she saw a man enter the water.
The woman, who didn't want to be named, told the BBC on 20 February: "I didn't see the child fall in, but I heard shouting and at that point I didn't know what was going on.
"I was running to tell the man to get out the water because it was absolutely torrent last night. I saw the man disappear under the arch. Then I knew there was a child in the water and I tried to look myself."
A woman whose home overlooks Aylestone Meadows said a nearby canal and the river sometimes “go into one” during peak flooding periods. “It’s fast flowing,” she said. “It’s been quite bad. It’s devastating to think how they (family members) must be feeling.”
