The results of a postmortem conducted on toddler Aisling Symes whose body was found in a drain in Auckland yesterday indicated no sign of injuries and that the child died from drowning.
Police yesterday confirmed that the body found in a stormwater drain was that of the two-year-old who had been missing for week after disappearing from her late grandparents’ house in the Auckland suburb of Henderson.
She was watching her mother, Angela, fix a tap on a washing machine when she wandered away. Aisling’s father, Alan, is from Stradbally, Co Waterford. The family also has another daughter, five-year-old Caitlín.
The investigation’s lead inspector, Gary Davey, said today the postmortem showed Aisling’s death was “consistent with drowning”.
“Aisling's death is devastating for her family and for everyone who knew and loved her. Police, along with other members of the community, are also deeply saddened,” Mr Davey said.
Two-year-old Aisling’s body was found in a storm water drain at 5 Longburn Road, just metres from her grandparents’ home at number 7, and close to where she went missing a week earlier.
Aisling’s parents said today the loss of their daughter was “unbearable”.
In a statement released through family members, they said: “It’s hard to imagine life without her, without her infectious smile and bubbly nature.
“Even though we grieve for our loss, our hearts go out to the parents and extended families of children in New Zealand and elsewhere who are still missing.
“Our priority remains on supporting each other. The days ahead will be difficult and we thank you for your continued love and support.”
They said it was too soon to say when Aisling’s funeral would be held.
The body was discovered after fire and police officers dug for two hours, using concrete cutters. It was removed at 1.30am local time (1.30pm Irish time).
Police have revealed that the drain was searched up to four times before Aisling was finally found. It was searched twice on the night she disappeared.
A police officer had climbed two metres (six feet) down into the drain and shone a torch up and down, calling Aisling’s name to no response. The officer estimated that he could see five metres either direction, said Insp Davey.
Aisling’s father also looked in the drain that night, and it is reported that a search-and-rescue crew also searched the drain.
“I’m sure we would not have been able to save her on the night,” said Mr Davy. “You need to bear in mind that she was found 36 metres from the manhole and a metre-and-a-half underground.
“I believe it is more likely than not she was there from the start and it is a case of misadventure,” Insp Davey said. However, police are still keeping an open mind about the possibility of foul play.
Insp Davey said it had been raining the night Aisling went missing, with water running fast down the drain. “It would have been impossible for her to turn around if she was crawling.”
The police said the manhole cover of the drain was seen to be eight to 10 centimetres ajar after Aisling had gone missing.
“I’m personally deeply saddened with the discovery of Aisling’s body. I truly hoped we would be able to find her alive and bring her home for the family,” said the inspector. He added that the police had put their heart and soul into the search for the toddler.
A message on the Facebook internet page “Find Aisling”, set up by her family, thanked people for their support and asked them to pray for them, “as this is going to be the hardest time of our lives”.
“I am extremely devastated to have to report to you that Aisling’s body has been found in a drain near where she went missing,” the posting read.
“If even the smallest positive can come from this at least we know we did all we could, it was a national effort, and thank you all for that. It did bring us together as a country, and proved at least that we are a nation full of caring and compassionate people, who genuinely want to help those in need, thank you all for that.”