Family's heartache as 'brave' boy, 16, 'ripped away' after river death

Jonty Evans, 16, went missing on Friday
-Credit: (Image: Cheshire Police)


The grief-stricken family of a 'brave' teenager have spoken of their heartbreak following his river death. Jonty Evans was found dead in the River Weaver in Nantwich on September 1, the day after he was reported missing.

Detectives have confirmed that they have eliminated two 16-year-old boys, from Crewe, from the investigation. However, enquiries into the circumstances surrounding how Jonty entered the water remain ongoing.

Now Jonty's relatives have paid tribute to him. In a statement, they said: "No words will ever describe the loss of our son. He was not only a son, but a friend and a brother.

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"Jonty was compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light, when he smiled it was as mountains smile to see the spring. His warm face greets me when I fall asleep and he's there the moment I wake up.

"You were ripped away from having a full and rich life and we were stolen the chance of ever having to see you grow old. This pain in our chests will never leave us and will forever be within our hearts because we love Jonty and that's something no one can take away from us.

"Tonight, and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives, we will look for you in the stars and through sunsets and remember who you were, until we meet again."

Officers are asking anyone who may have seen him between 12.30am and 2.30am on Saturday, August 31 in the Waterlode area of Nantwich to contact police. The same goes for any members of the public who may have captured Jonty on CCTV, dashcam and ring doorbell footage during the same timeframe and to submit it directly via MIPP.

Information can also be passed on to Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website, quoting IML-1907900.

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