Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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

A search was launched to find Xielo Maruziva after the little boy, who was with family members, fell into the water on February 18.

Luke O'Reilly
Thursday 06 June 2024 12:47 EDT
Undated handout photo issued by Leicestershire Police of Xielo Maruziva (Leicestershire Police/PA)
Undated handout photo issued by Leicestershire Police of Xielo Maruziva (Leicestershire Police/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A body has been found in the search for two-year-old Xielo Maruziva who fell into the River Soar in February, Leicestershire Police said.

A search was launched to find Xielo after Leicestershire Police received reports that the little boy, who was with family members, fell into the water on February 18 in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane, Leicester.

The body was found on Thursday morning in the area of Aylestone Meadows near the river after work was carried out.

Formal identification is yet to take place but the coroner has been informed and Xielo’s family are being supported by specialist officers, the force said.

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.”

Ms Kerr thanked everyone involved in the search, as well as the community and wider members of the public.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in