The family of missing man Tony Williamson have paid tribute to him after his body was found in Cheshire.
The 62-year-old father from Trafford had been missing since December 2023.
Formal identification of a body found in the River Mersey in Warrington on Sunday has confirmed, tragically, that Tony has died.
His family have now issued a moving tribute to him, and thanked the public and the police for their support since his disappearance.
Greater Manchester Police have been conducting a wide-ranging search using specialised resources since late last year.
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Tony’s family said: “We would like to thank everyone for sharing social media posts, and members of the public and friends who have been out looking for our dad Tony.
“It is truly with great sadness to say that he has passed away after battling a chronic illness that caused a severe decline in his mental health.
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“He was a much-loved, well-respected man and no-one had a bad word to say about him.
“He was a beloved husband to our mum for over 30 years, a devoted dad and grandad. We are truly devastated by his loss.”
During the appeal to find Tony, his family had shared that he had been suffering with an illness that had left him in ‘continual pain’.
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Speaking on behalf of the force and the Trafford district leading the investigation for GMP, Detective Sergeant Rory Leicester added; “First and foremost, our thoughts and condolences remain with Tony’s loved ones, who we have been in constant contact with for a number of months, always remaining hopeful.
“This investigation has affected us all personally and is not the news anyone wanted.
“Officers were committed to bringing the family their loved one back home but wished it wouldn’t be in these devastating and upsetting circumstances.
“The way Tony’s family and friends have conducted themselves, along with the outpouring of love from the public, has shown everyone just how much he meant to a lot of people and we hope they take some comfort in this.”
Tony’s family have asked for continued privacy while they continue to grieve and lay him to rest.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2024 
