A body found in the search for missing 11-year-old girl has been confirmed as Kaliyah Coa a month after she disappeared.
Kaliyah slipped and fell into the River Thames while playing with friends close to Barge House Causeway, near City Airport, on March 31.
In a statement, her family said: ‘Our hearts are broken and our lives will never be the same. We were blessed to have Kaliyah, even if it was for such a short time.
‘She will be missed so much. Kaliyah went to a birthday party and never returned home to her family.
‘The family would like to thank all those who were involved in the search and recovery of Kaliyah.
‘We sincerely hope that everyone will respect our wishes to be given the space and time to grieve as a family.’
Another teenager died in London’s waters a few days after Kaliyah disappeared.
Promising young footballer Izaiah Smith, 15, drowned while swimming in a pond at Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham, on April 4. His body was recovered hours later.
But no sign of Kaliyah was found for two weeks, despite extensive searches by the coastguard, firefighters and paramedics soon after she fell in.
It left Kaliyah’s dad in ‘a very bad place’, according to a family friend, who told Metro: ‘He lost another child when they were a baby. It is devastating.’
Then a body was found upstream at Maritime Quay on April 13. It was today confirmed as belonging to Kaliyah after formal identification on Tuesday, police said.
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An inquest is scheduled for Friday, May 2.
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware said: ‘This tragic accident took away a little girl who was loved by many. Our specialist officers will continue to support Kaliyah’s family as they process this heart-breaking news.
‘I echo her family’s request for privacy while they navigate the difficult road ahead, and urge the public to refrain from wholly inaccurate speculation both on and offline.
‘I would like to extend my thanks to our search and recovery teams, supported by blue light partners. I know the local community has been deeply impacted by this incident and also thank them for their support.’
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