Nicola Bulley 'experts' begin searching River Soar for missing two-year-old Xielo Maruziva after police called in specialist divers

Dive team ‘experts’ who claimed to have found the body of Nicola Bulley after only ‘six minutes of trying’ began their search for missing two-year-old Xielo Maruziva today.

Police teams joined the search operation at the River Soar after reports that the little boy fell into the water in the area near Aylestone in Leicestershire on February 18 while on a walk with family members.

Police forces across the UK have deployed search teams, helicopters and specialist rescue teams in an attempt to find the boy but there has so far been no sign of the toddler.

Now, Peter Faulding’s Specialist Group International (SGI) has joined the hunt.

He helped in the hunt for Ms Bulley’s body in February 2023, with Mr Faulding later claiming he had found the missing mother in the River Wyre in Lancashire using advanced sonar in a matter of minutes.

The diving expert has previously slammed police handling of last year’s search after authorities criticised his own involvement in the mission, which eventually took 23 days.

Xielo Maruziva, 2, fell into the River Soar in the area near Aylestone in Leicestershire on February 18 while on a walk with family members

Experts from Specialist Group International (SGI) join the search operation today

Peter Faulding (pictured) and his SGI helped in the hunt for Nicola’s body in February 2023, with Mr Faulding later claiming he found the missing mother in a ‘matter of minutes’

Mr Faulding said he had urged Lancashire Police at the time to use his divers – a request which was refused.

READ MORE: Row erupts between police and Nicola Bulley diver Peter Faulding after expert claims he found her body ‘after just six minutes’ of searching the river but force say he ’caused challenges’ to the investigation 

Now Leicestershire Police has turned to the expert to assist in the hunt, with the teams seen scouring the river on boats and in scuba gear early this morning.

A Leicester Police spokesman said last night: ‘As part of ongoing efforts to locate Xielo, the search parameter has since been widened, with the operation focussing on the stretch of river around Watermead Park and Birstall over the weekend.

‘Officers from Leicestershire Police continue to be supported by specialist diving teams from Nottinghamshire Police and Lincs Police, as well as other forces and search and rescue teams from across the region and country.

‘Support in the air has also been provided by the National Police Air Service.

‘Following further conversations with search specialists and Xielo’s family, support will be provided by Specialist Group International from tomorrow.’

Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr, who is leading the operation, added: ‘Our search operation to locate Xielo continues to widen as we know he may have travelled further from where he went into the water – and potentially outside our force area.

A police diver from Nottinghamshire Police’s underwater search team searches the river Soar

Peter Faulding (right), CEO of private underwater search and recovery company Specialist Group International (SGI), joins the search operation today

Experts from SGI travel along the river in search of the missing two-year-old

A SGI vehicle parked near the scene where the search operation is taking place today

Leicestershire Police has turned to the expert to assist in the hunt, with the teams seen scouring the river on boats and in scuba gear early this morning

The specialist search team carrying out the operation in Leicester today

‘Our decision to involve SGI in the search in liaison with Xielo’s family and having spoken to both the company and independent specialists.

‘I’d also like to remind the public that the river is dangerous and that they should not go into the water themselves.’

Xielo’s family, who are understood to be local to the area, last week described their son as a ‘cheeky, funny’ boy who is ‘a bundle of joy’ and have also thanked members of the community for their ongoing support.

His mother said: ‘Xielo is a cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy. He never fails to make me laugh or smile and always loves a cuddle and some kisses.

‘Xielo loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons including Bino and Fino.

‘Me, his dad and the whole family are so heartbroken at what has happened.

‘We thank everyone who has supported us and helped us during this time. We are extremely grateful for this. All we want is for Xielo to be found as soon as possible. Thank you.’

Xielo’s father, who jumped into the river in a bid to rescue Xielo and had to be taken to hospital, added: ‘Xielo is a bundle of joy to us.

‘He is a charming and creative little boy and has just started at nursery. He loves cuddles, playing with his toys and going to the park.

‘As a family we have been completely devastated over the past few days as the search for Xielo continues.

Police search teams join the search operation earlier today

The Environment Agency last week issued a flood warning for the Upper Soar catchment area

Leicestershire Police assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr (pictured), who is leading the operation, said: ‘Our search operation to locate Xielo continues to widen as we know he may have travelled further from where he went into the water’

‘It is hard to describe the pain and suffering we are going through.

‘We would like to thank the search teams at the scene. ‘We would also like to thank members of the public for all of your support. ‘It is your prayers which are keeping us strong.’

ACC Kerr earlier revealed police had recovered CCTV footage of the moment Xielo plunged into the swollen river, adding there was ‘nothing to suggest anything other than a tragic set of circumstances.’

She said: ‘We have now recovered CCTV imagery that we believe shows the moment when the little boy disappeared into the water.

‘The camera was in the local vicinity. What it allows us to do is it allows us to be really clear around the circumstances and exactly where the little boy went into the river, and that has allowed us to be really confident around our search strategy.

‘It has been significantly helpful, as has accounts of people in the vicinity at the time, and this has allowed us to ensure we are getting the right information to the family so we can give them some updates on those moments before the little boy went into the water.’

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