Heartbreak as police discover body of dad, 29, missing after he fell into river

The family of a 'popular' and 'loved' Chester dad have paid heartfelt tribute to him after his body was tragically found in the Dee Estuary. Shay Hughes, 29, had been missing since Saturday, October 14 after police received reports of someone falling into the River Dee. His body was recovered on Monday (October 25).

Now his family have paid tribute to the 'star' dad and warned of the dangers of the river. "Shay was the life and soul of every party," they said in a statement. "Everybody saw his smile before anything as he came towards them. He loved dearly his girlfriend Stacey and six-month-old son and it really shows in the turnout of people that have tried to find him," reports CheshireLive.

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"His tragic accident has left us all heartbroken and we all need to be aware of the dangers of that river. That river is so dangerous, no matter how good you think you are at swimming, canoeing, fishing, etcetera."

They added: "We really have lost a star here. Everyone is invited to the funeral, the date and location of which will follow."

His life-long friend, Robbie Kirk, said: "He was a pleasure to be such a close friend of and was loved by so many people."

Shay is survived by his young son, his girlfriend Stacey, his mother Linsey Hughes, father Yoza Hughes, his brothers Tommy, Johnny and Scott, his sister Scarlett, his friend Robbie Kirk and Robbie's wife Cherie.

His family continued: "Stacey’s mum and dad, Bev and Paul, are going to miss him so much as are many people in the community, and also around Chester where he was so popular and loved."

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