UPDATE: |’You were a big light and didn’t even know it’: Devastation as 19-year-old found dead News

Luke Fingleton tragically died after going missing

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a 19-year-old who was tragically found dead in woodland more than a week after first going missing.

The body of Luke Fingleton, from Rawtenstall, was found eight days after he had been reported as missing, having last been seen in the Bacup area on March 27.

CCTV images were also issued of Luke in a McDonald’s restaurant on the same day of his disappearance, as major searches were commenced by police and Luke’s friends and family.

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It was then announced on Saturday (April 5) that a body had been found in an area of woodland off Haslingden Road in Rawtenstall. There were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Luke’s death.

Tributes from friends and family have since been paid on social media, as Luke’s sister penned in a public post: “I can’t believe your gone forever and I’m never going to see your beautiful face again. My baby brother you was so full of light. Eight days we searched for you we never gave up on you Lukey we found you in the end like we promised we would.

“My heart is so broken. I’m so angry this happened to you, you deserved the world and more. Rest In paradise my baby brother. I love and miss you more than you will ever know.”

Another emotional tribute from a friend read: “I may not have known you the longest time but I’m eternally grateful I got to know you. You were this big light and you didn’t even know it, making me smile and feel better when I had a rubbish day.

“Our little walks to the park where you’d take photos for me to post on my Instagram, our little random chats. When you’d come over to my house and borrow my eyeliner and got me to check it was straight and even for you. I’m going to miss you, thank you for making me laugh and being my friend.”

“The sweetest boy with the brightest soul,” penned another. “Heartbroken for you all prayers and thinking of you all. There are no words.”

A statement shared by Lancashire Police read: “We have an extremely sad update to bring you about our search for missing Luke Fingleton who was reported missing from his home in Bacup by family last Sunday.

“Numerous enquiries have been ongoing to find Luke since then, however yesterday afternoon the body of a man was discovered deceased in woodland off Haslingden Road in Rawtenstall.

It continued: “The tragic news has been delivered to Luke’s next of kin and our thoughts are with them at this devastating time. This is not the outcome anybody wanted. Luke’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to HM Coroner in due course.

“We would just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who shared our appeals and, again, pass on our deepest condolences to Luke’s family.”

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