A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to a promising young boxer, 22, who was found dead after going missing.
Jack Ayres was last seen during the early hours of March 3 and his body was tragically found less than 12 hours later in a Somerset river.
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In a statement, Jack’s devastated family said: “Nothing can put into words how we are all feeling right now.
“Jack was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew and boyfriend.
“We know that nothing will bring Jack back, but we just want to try and understand the lead-up to his passing.”
Pyramid Boxing Club also paid a heartfelt tribute and wrote: “It is with great sadness that Pyramid Boxing Club has lost one of our young talented boxers.
“Jack was a friend, a family man and a true warrior and he will never know how much we will miss him.
“Thoughts go out to all of Jack’s family and friends at this sad time.”
It comes after Avon and Somerset Police responded to reports of a body being found in water near Sharpham Drove at around 1.45pm on Monday, March 3.
A post-mortem showed the preliminary cause of death was recorded as drowning.
The force are appealing for information or CCTV footage of Jack on the night he went missing.
Jack’s last known movements were walking along Sharpham Drove at around 2.30am on March 3.
Emotional tributes continue to pour in for the young boxer.
One person wrote on social media: “My beautiful boy, the heartbreak, we miss you so so much”.
Another added: “This is extremely gutting news. He was an extremely talented lad, I can’t believe this”.
“God bless you Jack rest easy”. Another person said: “Extremely sad news bless him,” shared someone else.
Someone who boxed Jack added: “Condolences to his family and friends, was an honour to share the ring with Jack twice, rest easy champ”.
“This is truly awful news. Condolences to his family, friends, and boxing club,” wrote another.
Detective Chief Inspector Clement Goodwin said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Jack’s devastated family.
“We want to do all we can to provide them with as many answers as possible about what happened to their son in the moments leading up to his death, and to do that we have been to nearby properties to seek any relevant CCTV footage.
“The lack of any physical injuries would suggest the circumstances of his death are most likely to be non-suspicious, but we are treating it as unexplained while further enquiries are carried out on behalf of the coroner.
“We would ask any motorists who were travelling in that area during the early hours of Monday 3 March to please check any dashcam footage and come forward if they have something that can assist our enquiries. Any information would be gratefully received as it may be able to help us provide Jack’s family with greater clarity around what happened.”
