Tributes paid to 'wonderful' teen as police confirm body find after four months
A 'devastated' family has paid tribute to a 17-year-old boy whose body was found more than four months after he went missing.
Human remains found on Steart Marshes near Bridgwater, Somerset on January 30 have now been formally identified as teenager Freddy Perham.
His family have spoken of their deep sense of loss following his death and the emotional impact of his disappearance in September.
They said: "There are no words to describe the overwhelming grief we have as a family at the loss of Freddy.
"The five months that Freddy was missing, were torturous, not knowing where he was, or whether he was alive. And whilst the news of his death is devastating, now that he's been found and returned to our family we can lay Freddy to rest and grieve."
Teen 'kept as slave, starved and beaten' sues adoptive parents and authoritiesRemembering Freddy as "wonderful boy" who will be terribly missed, they added: "His carefree and infectious spirit was loved and cherished by all his family and friends and knowing we will never experience that again leaves us with a huge hole that can never be filled.
"We hope that he is now at peace."
More than 100 police officers and staff had been involved in the effort to find him since his sudden disappearance on September 20,
They were supported by partner agencies including His Majesty's Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, BARB Search and Rescue, Exmoor Search and Rescue, Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue and the Search and Rescue Dog Association.
The family have now thanked all those who helped the search, adding: "As a family, we want to say thank you to so many people who supported in the search for Freddy and continue to support us in our darkest times.
"To the police, we thank you for your relentless efforts to find Freddy. The care you have shown us will not be forgotten.
"We know the police were supported by many other specialist search agencies and volunteers and we say thank you to you as well for giving so much of yourselves to us.
"To our friends, our community and all the people we have never met that offered us their prayers, their support and their time, we are grateful to you and be in no doubt that your care and compassion was felt daily."
Avon and Somerset Police say specialist officers continue to support Freddy’s family while enquiries are carried out.
An inquest into the 17-year-old's death has been opened and adjourned until November.
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