Toddler's Tragic River Fall Inquest Hears of Desperate Rescue Attempts
An inquest has heard the heartbreaking details of how a toddler died after falling into a swollen river while on a walk with his two aunts in Leicester. Xielo Maruziva, who had only recently started nursery, was just a few steps ahead of the women when he suddenly disappeared from view and fell into the fast-flowing River Soar on 18 February 2024.
Scene of the Tragedy
The tragic incident occurred in the Aylestone Meadows nature reserve, near Marsden Lane in Leicester. Senior coroner Professor Catherine Mason told the Leicester Coroner's Court that the river was exceptionally high and fast-flowing due to heavy rainfall and flooding in the days preceding the accident. Despite extensive search efforts involving police and specialist teams, Xielo's body was not recovered until nearly four months later on 6 June 2024.
Desperate Rescue Attempts
Xielo's aunt, Nicole Maruziva, gave emotional testimony about the moments following the fall. She told the inquest: "I saw Xielo on the side and he took what looked like a step but once he took that step he wasn't there anymore. I ran to the point in which he turned and I looked down and that's when I saw that it opened up into water."
Despite not knowing how to swim, Ms Maruziva immediately jumped into the water in a desperate attempt to save her nephew. "I was just using my arms to try to find him," she explained. "As soon as I got in, the water was up to my chest so it was deep water and I was trying to find him with my arms but I could not feel anything in the water."
Safety Concerns at the Location
The court heard concerning details about the location where the tragedy occurred. The bridge where Xielo fell has waist-height walls on both sides, but it is not clear to pedestrians where the bridge actually ends. Detective Inspector Kevin Hames of Leicestershire Police told the inquest that CCTV footage showed Xielo in his aunts' arms before he appeared to run off ahead of them.
Significantly, the area is a designated flood plain but does not have signage warning walkers that the water level might be dangerously high. Xielo's great-aunt, Memory Maruziva, who was visiting family in Leicester at the time, said they were not familiar with the area they were walking in and would pick the toddler up whenever cyclists or dog walkers approached to ensure his safety.
Family's Heartbreaking Testimony
Xielo's parents gave moving statements about their son during the proceedings. His mother, Kayela Smith, who was just 19 when she had Xielo, described him as becoming more "independent, curious and adventurous" before his death. "He had the biggest personality for such a small little boy," she said. "He was my best friend, my soul twin and my whole world."
The boy's father, Bradley Maruziva, also gave a statement describing how he too jumped into the water in an attempt to save his son, becoming hypothermic in the process. "In the time I was with him I was already so proud of him and proud to be his dad," he wrote. "He was fearless and loved going to talk to dogs in the park to stroke them. We all miss Xielo so much."
Medical Evidence and Continuing Proceedings
Forensic pathologist Dr Frances Hollingbury told the jury that her opinion is Xielo died as a result of the effects of being immersed in water. The inquest heard that Xielo was spending the weekend at his father's home when his aunts took him for the fateful walk, and that they were not using reins or a pushchair at the time.
The proceedings, which began at Leicester Coroner's Court sitting at City Hall, are expected to last five days as the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are examined in detail.
