Police have confirmed that the body recovered from the River Thames on April 13 is that of 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa.
The young girl fell into the river near Barge House Causeway in North Woolwich on March 31.
The Metropolitan Police issued the tragic update this afternoon following formal identification conducted yesterday.
Kaliyah had been playing near the river during a school inset day when she entered the water shortly after 1pm.
Coa was last seen in the water with a friend close to Barge House Causeway, near London City AirportMET POLICEEmergency services responded immediately after receiving reports of a girl entering the water at 1.23pm.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched involving His Majesty's Coastguard, Royal National Lifeboat Institute, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.
According to her family, Kaliyah had gone to a birthday party that day but never returned home.
In a statement, Kaliyah's family said: "Our hearts are broken and our lives will never be the same. We were blessed to have Kaliyah, even if it was for such a short time. She will be missed so much."
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The family requested privacy during this difficult time, saying: "We sincerely hope that everyone will respect our wishes to be given the space and time to grieve as a family."
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who led the Met's investigation, described the incident as a "tragic accident" that "took away a little girl who was loved by many".
He confirmed specialist officers would continue supporting Kaliyah's family as they process the heart-breaking news.
"I echo her family's request for privacy while they navigate the difficult road ahead, and urge the public to refrain from wholly inaccurate speculation both on and offline," he said.
GB NEWSPolice revealed that the young girl was playing near the river during an inset day, adding that she entered the water near Barge House Causeway in North Woolwich on March 31.
It is believed that Coa slipped and fell into the river before she was swept away.
After the horrific incident, a relative told The Sun: "It was her birthday last week. She had only just turned 11.
"She was a beautiful bubbly girl. A very happy girl and lovely girl."
An inquest into Kaliyah’s death will begin on May 2.
