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Little Sam Trott, whose disappearance sparked an unprecedented police and community search near his Landsdale home. Source: Supplied
GRIEVING locals have delivered flowers and posted tributes after police divers found the body of missing toddler Sam Trott, who vanished from his home in the northern suburb of Landsdale yesterday.
Divers returned to the lake near the Warradale Community Centre this morning, just a couple of streets away from the autistic toddler’s Walbrook Mews home in Landsdale.
Little Sam slipped out of his parents’ home about 10.30am yesterday when tradesman, who were installing mirrors at the house, left a door open.
Police divers searched lakes near the local primary school yesterday, after his parents told them that Sam liked water and could be drawn to them.
This morning the search, which had struck the heart of Perth and prompted an unprecedented community response, took a grim turn when police again turned their attention to the lake and discovered Sam’s body a short time later.
Police are now preparing a report for the Coroner.
Incident Controller Inspector Gary Lewis said at a press conference this afternoon, the child’s body was located at Snake Swamp in Warradale Park in Landsdale.
“I’d just like to make particular note of the immense community support that was provided by members of the Landsdale community and surrounds.
“At 3am we had people from as far as Rockingham and Warnbro arriving to assist in the inquires. We’d like to thank those people.
“I’d like to pay particular thanks to the vast numbers of SES, fire brigade, police and other emergency services who came out to assist.
“I’d like to make a request on behalf of the family that you respect their privacy at this time.
“When news broke this morning there was approximately 200 to 300 volunteers and they all looked visibly shaken.’’
Inspector Lewis said the response for search volunteers was unprecedented in the
metropolitan area.
A brave but heartbroken grandfather Geoff Trott speaks to the media near the lake where grandson Sam Trott drowned. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Corp Australia
Sam’s brave, but heartbroken grandfather, Geoffrey Trott, read a statement on behalf of Sam’s parents, his son Matthew Trott and his wife Lyndal
“Matthew and Lyndal have asked me to express our heartfelt gratitude to the police, SES and all the other government agencies who assisted so ably in the search for our beloved son.
“We’d like to make special mention to the thousands of people who gave their time and were involved in the search. We were overwhelmed by the compassion shown by these people and the outpouring of public support.
We are so fortunate to be part of such a wonderful community.
“We also deeply appreciate the countless messages of support, prayers and kind thoughts of so many.
“We’d like to thank the media for enablising the support of the community and for the respect they’ve shown our family in reporting on Sam’s disappearance.
“We are especially grateful to the police for their rapid response and for the professionalism, and support, keeping us informed and staying with us at all times during this terrible ordeal.
“Sam was so dear to us all. His premature passing is a tragedy we are still struggling to deal with. He was a happy, affectionate, loving child with an infectious smile and he brought so much sunshine into our lives.
“Sam could not have been blessed with more devoted parents than Matt and Lyndal who have loved him unconditionally since the day he was born.
“They are devastated. As with all parents they have strived to give him the best life possible and since his diagnosis of autism they’ve been unrelenting in their quest to create every opportunity
for him to thrive and fulfill his potential.
A woman and her young son place flowers and a sympathy message at the Walbrook Mews Trott family home. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Corp Australia
“Matt and Lyndal have asked for us convey their thanks to those who have sent flowers. This gesture is greatly appreciated.
“However as Sam is one of so many with autism his parents have respectfully requested
donations be made to the Autism Association of WA in lieu of tributes.’’
Police and divers gathered on the lake shore, where they made the tragic find just before 10am.
Search volunteer Kristi McIntyre was devastated to learn of Sam’s death.
The Coogee mother searched for hours last night around the lake.
“We searched that lake furiously last night,†she said.
“There was a guy walking through there with his dog.
“It’s a long way from his home, there is a lot of roads he had to cross. “So (his death) is very sad.â€
Police divers found the body of Sam Trott in a lake around 10am. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Corp Australia
Shortly after Sam’s body was found, some locals gathered around the park, where many were crying and in disbelief.
Workers from the City of Wanneroo appeared distressed after news of the grim find spread.
People have brought down flowers to the SES workers stationed near the lake and hugged volunteers, thanking them for their efforts in the search for little Sam.
A woman and her young son place flowers and a sympathy message at the Walbrook Mews Trott family home. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Corp Australia
Shocked onlookers comfort each other after it emerged that toddler Sam Trott has drowned. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Corp Australia
POLICE STATEMENT
Police media confirmed: “Just before 10am a search team conducting a search of water in the Snake Swamp area in Warradale park located the body of a young child.
“The deceased child is believed to be missing two-year-old boy Sam Trott
“The area where the child’s body was located has been cordoned off by police.
“Inquiries are continuing at the scene.
“Members of the media are asked to refrain from approaching the family at this time.
“WA Police would sincerely like to thank members of the public and SES volunteers who have kindly given their time to assist in this search.’’
Emotions spill over: The Trott family early today in Walbrook Mews close to the family home. Source: News Corp Australia
At least 100 State Emergency Service volunteers joined the search team first thing this morning after police and volunteers searched till about 2am.
Police used sniffer dogs and mounted police overnight, but was scaled back about 2am, before continuing again this morning at first light.
Up until the discovery of the boy’s body police remained confident they could find little Sam alive and the family clung to the hope that he would be found safe and well.
The boy’s grandfather, Geoff Trott, spoke to the media this morning before the grim discovery, saying: “It was a tough night.â€
“Matthew (Sam’s father) is beside himself.
“We can’t get over the overwhelming support. Our heartfelt thanks.
“Thank you all of Perth. We are hopeful someone will spot him today.’’
Sadly, that wasn’t to be.
Originally published as Family struggle with son’s death