A family has paid tribute after the body of a local man was found by police.

21-year-old Alexander Hayter was last seen leaving his home address in Abbotts Ann on Friday September 18. The body of a man was subsequently found on Sunday September 20.

In a statement to the Advertiser, the family said: “Words cannot express how distraught and heartbroken we are that our gorgeous, funny, clever Alex, our beloved son and brother, is no longer with us.

“He leaves a void in our family that can never be filled. The future that we had hoped for him will not happen. We would like to thank everyone who shared the Missing post and the huge police led team who worked so tirelessly.”

Alexander left his home in Manor Close at around 3pm on Friday, with police launching an appeal the following day after he had not been in contact with his family, which was described as out of character for him.

At the time of his disappearance, Alexander was wearing a blue Nike baseball cap, dark jacket and dark trousers. It is also believed he was wearing a green t-shirt and trainers.

The body of a man was subsequently found on Sunday September 20. At that time, formal identification had not taken place, and the death was not being treated as suspicious. A file was to be prepared for a Coroner’s inquest at a later date.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting 44200363202.