Search for missing five-year-old boy comes to a tragic end after he vanished from a busy street in southwest Sydney
A desperate search for an autistic five-year-old has come to a tragic end after police recovered a body from the George’s River.
Essa Dennaoui was last seen in Epsom Street, Chipping Norton in Sydney’s south-west, about 6.35pm on Thursday.
When Essa could not be located or contacted, authorities at Liverpool City Police District were notified and immediately began their investigation.
Police are looking for any information that could help them locate non-verbal five-year-old Essa Dennaoui
Community members joined the search for Essa, with serious fears for his safety from the start
Police led the search for the five-year-old child, which eventually led the community to the George’s River on Thursday evening
A police spokesperson confirmed that a body had been recovered from the river just before 10pm, but it has yet to be formally identified.
But loved ones sadly confirmed the tragic news on social media.
“Little Essa has just been found deceased (drowned) and is currently being recovered from George’s River. May Allah grant his family patience.
Another person wrote: ‘I have no words, what a beautiful boy, may Allah grant the family patience and ease during this difficult time.’
‘Poor baby, may Allah give strength to his family.’
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said ‘heaven has gained another angel’.
“May his parents and family gain strength.”
Police had appealed for the public’s help in the hours before Essa’s body was found
The search came to a tragic end on Thursday evening