A boy’s body was recovered from a waterway in Stebbing Way yesterday afternoon (Credit: Google Maps)
Officers responded to reports a body had been found in a waterway in Stebbing Way, near Wivenhoe Road, at around 12.20pm on Wednesday, 3 November.
They recovered the body and the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives believe they know the identity of the deceased and are in contact with his family.
He has not been formally identified yet and a post mortem examination will take place in due course.
The death is currently being treated as unexplained.
“We are trying to understand the circumstances of how a young teenage boy lost his life,” said Detective Inspector Sean Treweek. “His family have been left devastated and they are looking for, and deserve, answers.
“We are particularly looking for information from anyone who was in the area Wivenhoe Road, Barking from the evening of Monday, 1 November to midday, Wednesday, 3 November.
“If you saw anything that could assist our investigation, whether or not you thought it was suspicious, then please call. Any information you supply could help us explain why this tragic event occurred.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 and quoting CAD4262/03NOV.
To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Tags: Barking, Barking and Dagenham, Unexplained Death