River Soar search for Xielo Maruziva, 2, to be scaled back
Police update issued just over a month since he was last seen
Last updated 21st Mar 2024
Leicestershire Police have said finding two year old Xielo Maruziva remains a priority, despite no sighting in over month.
Xielo was reported to have fallen into the River Soar in the Marsden Lane area of Aylestone Meadows on Sunday 18 February, but hasn't been seen since.
While we are told regular patrols of the water will continue, police say specialist support brought in from across the country will soon no longer be at the scene.
More than 200 police officers have been involved in the operation, alongside five specialist search and rescue teams from across the country who have provided more than 2,000 volunteer hours.
Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said: “To reach more than a month on from Xielo first being reported missing without being able to locate him and return him to his family despite all the team’s efforts is heartbreaking. I know this extreme pain is felt by all who have been involved in the search over the past month, in all conditions, determined to find little Xielo and to provide answers to his family.
“We do of course continue to support Xielo’s family at this most painful time and to keep them updated on our search and thank them for their bravery and their support to us.
“Our search for Xielo has continued to take a staged approach and during the coming weeks while additional specialist resources from across the country will no longer be at the scene, our own force teams will continue to carry out regular patrols both on the water and along the river banks. Search and Rescue teams will also continue to provide support to us where they can. This staged approach will of course remain under review and we continue to seek advice going forward and to act on any information received. Our priority is and always has been to find Xielo.
“I continue to thank everyone who has been involved in the search for Xielo for your overwhelming support – to the teams involved in the search for your professionalism, dedication and commitment, and to the local community and wider public for your work with us and for coming together at this desperately sad time. Thank you. We will of course continue to keep you updated with any significant development in relation to Xielo.”