Tributes to young father

Tributes paid to young father found dead on Christmas Eve

“You brought so much love and laughter into our lives, you will be deeply missed by so many,” the heartfelt words of Kelly Gray in tribute to her husband Darren.

The 43 year old father of three was found dead in South Molton on Christmas Eve. Detectives from Devon & Cornwall Police are still trying to piece together his last movements, but say they are not treating his death as suspicious.

“Gone too soon, but you will remain our guiding light, our shining star. Sleep tight Dazbo, we love you more,” Kelly told Molton Monthly. “You were a friend to all that knew you, and you loved your family greatly. You will live on forever in our hearts and the memories will never be forgotten.” Darren Gray (above) was last seen in South Molton in the early hours of Sunday December 18th. CCTV footage shared on social media showed him greeting people with a smile and hug in a local pub around 9pm on the Saturday evening before.

He worked for South Molton Scaffolding Ltd. Maggi Woodward from the firm paid tribute, “Darren was our employee and friend, who has been taken from us all too soon. He was an integral part of our team, a skilled and hard worker with a great sense of humour, always making us laugh! He will be sadly missed by us all.”

Darren leaves his wife Kelly, and children Kaiden (21), Riley (15) and Louis (10). His family describe him as “a very much loved father, son, brother and uncle.”

If you have any information which might help police, call 101 quoting reference number 50220067671, or report it via their website: devon-cornwall.police.uk