In a tragic development this last weekend, the body of a young boy and two other bodies, believed to be his mother and brother, were found in a pond in north Canberra.
On Sunday 6 November, eight-year-old Pranav Vivekanandan’s body was pulled from Yerrabi Pond by police divers.
It follows two days of intense searching after a passer-by spotted a body floating in the pond on Saturday, 5 November. Around 30 police officers, including divers and a drone operator, were involved in search efforts.
They eventually retrieved the bodies of a young boy and woman, and located an abandoned vehicle from a nearby car park.
Police had released visuals and information about Pranav with the hopes of finding him alive. He was located deceased in the pond at around 10:45 AM.
ACT police do not believe any other party is involved and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
“It’s obviously a tragic situation, it’s still very early days and it’s unfolding,” Detective Superintendent Hall O’Meagher told reporters at a press conference.
“We’re making inquiries with the family of these deceased people. They’re assisting us with our inquiries at this time. Our thoughts go out to them and also to the responding police who have had to deal with this tragic circumstance.”
Yerrabi Pond at Gungahlin is a popular recreational spot among families, with walking and cycling paths, playground facilities, and a skate park.
Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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