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Body found in Cheshire confirmed to be that of missing man Tony Williamson, as family pays tribute
Tony's family have paid tribute to him.
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.
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.
“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’.
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.
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Featured image: GMP
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
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Featured image: The Manc Group
News
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.
You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.
Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)
