'In his last text, he told me he loved me': Heartbroken woman pays tribute to 'amazing' partner found dead in river

A heartbroken woman has spoken about her 'amazing' partner - who had 'such a bright future ahead' - after he was tragically found dead in a river in Rochdale.

Dad-of-six Kevin Downes, 36, was pulled out of the River Roch last Wednesday morning (June 28). Emergency services were called out to the scene, beside St Mary's Gate, at around 6.30am following reports of a body in the water. It is understood police investigations into his death are ongoing.

The roofer, from Rochdale but who lived in Bacup, was pronounced dead at the scene. His devastated partner Kelly Stansfield, who he had just bought a house with, has now paid heartfelt tribute to him and emotionally reflected on the final text he sent her just a day before the tragedy.

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"My family absolutely adored him," she said. "We had just bought a new house and had so many things to look forward to. He was one of the most amazing people who came into my life.

"He made me laugh since day one. He was the kindest, most compassionate person you could meet. He gave me so much confidence.

"We were so happy. It is so tragic that this has happened, but I want his memory to live on."

Kelly, 45, lived with Kevin and the loved-up pair had just bought a new home together in Padiham, Lancashire. Fondly recalling the story of the moment the pair met, she said: "It was a bank holiday weekend. We met at the Co-op in Haslingden.

"Kev had got quite lively and I was sober, just having a laugh with him. I was looking for my gutters to be done on my house, and he was a roofer.

"He said 'do you want my number for your gutters, or my number number' and then wrote it on the back of a lottery