Body of missing eight-year-old boy found in Canberra pond

ACT police have recovered the body of an eight-year-old boy who was missing after his mother and brother were earlier found dead in a Canberra pond.

Officers had been searching since Saturday for Pranav Vivekanandan in the water of Yerrabi Pond and the surrounding bushland at Gungahlin in Canberra’s north.

They recovered the bodies of Pranav’s mother and brother on Saturday. Officers found their bodies after a member of the public saw them in the water. Investigators later recovered a vehicle from a nearby car park.

“Sadly, the eight-year-old boy we posted about as missing yesterday, has been located deceased in Yerrabi Pond,” ACT police said in a statement on Sunday.

Police said the investigation into the deaths was ongoing but they did not believe any other party was involved. A report was being prepared for the coroner.

Det Supt Hall O’Meagher told reporters on Saturday police were making inquiries with the family of the deceased.

“Our thoughts go out to them and also to the responding police who have had to deal with this tragic circumstance,” he said.

Yerrabi Pond is a popular recreation spot in Canberra’s north. It has a playground, walking and cycling paths and a skate park.

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source: theguardian.com