Family pay tribute to former FC Halifax Town footballer James Dean after body found

Lancashire Police have confirmed that a body found yesterday was James’.

James, 35, was last seen in the Orchard Drive area of Oswaldtwistle around midnight on Wednesday (May 5).

Following extensive police enquiries a body was sadly found in the Moscow Mill Street area around 2.25pm yesterday (Sunday, May 9) and the body has now been formally identified.

In a tribute, his family said: “As a family we are utterly heartbroken and we can’t believe our James has really gone. We are still hoping he will walk back through the door and give us one of his smiles.

“James was a loving father to his boys, a son, grandson, nephew and a brother and he will be desperately missed by so many.

“He was such a genuine and gentle person who would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it

“We would like to thank everyone in the community who has helped in the search for James over the last few days and everyone at Brave Church for their love and support.

“We would also ask that people please don’t speculate about what happened to James as it’s not fair for us as a family – especially his boys – to read these things. The truth will come out in good time.

“While we are touched by all the lovely things people have said about James we would ask that we are now left in peace to try and come to terms with what has happened.”