'We miss him every day': Teenager's father speaks of heartbreak after his son was found dead in river

The dad of Trafford teenager Luke Howe - found dead in a river following a frantic search when he went missing - has said: "We miss him every day." It comes as a new date was set for an inquest into the death of the 14-year-old was set.

Luke vanished from his grandparents' home in Hale just before 6.15pm on January 18. His disappearance sparked a major search operation, involving emergency services, members of the public and loved ones.

Drones were used, as well as sniffer dogs and specialist response units as part of the search - which was focused on the River Bollin in Hale, and the River Mersey in neighbouring south Manchester.

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Tragically, Luke was discovered in the stretch of the Bollin near Ashley Mill Lane, in Hale, the following day (Friday, January 19) by the underwater search team.

Police said while he was missing that Luke had learning difficulties. His auntie Jessica told the Manchester Evening News about her nephew's global developmental delay and autism diagnoses, saying he had 'no concept of danger'.

An inquest into Luke's death was formally opened in February, where it was heard Luke, who lived in Sale, was the son of Elizabeth Howe, a registered nurse, and James Howe, a transport planner. He was a pupil at Brentwood School and College in Sale.

Today, (Tuesday, May 7) Mr Howe attended at a pre-inquest review hearing at South Manchester Coroners' Court in Stockport. Area coroner Chris Morris presided over the hearing.

The coroner said he had a pathologist's report, but its contents were not disclosed in court. Mr Morris said a toxicology report detailed Luke 'had prescribed medication in his system' and that there 'would be no surprise about that'.

A previous inquest date of July 26was 'unrealistic', Mr Morris said. A new date was provisionally listed as Monday, November 18, with a hearing pencilled in to last five days.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), which runs the the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMS), has been named as an interested party due to the 'ongoing treatment' Luke was receiving.

Trafford council has also been named as an interested party. Mr Morris asked for a statement to be obtained from Luke's school. The teenager, the court heard, 'seemed to have been spiralling after going back to school after Christmas'. Luke's father James said: "He had been generally deteriorating over the last 12 months."

Mr Morris also requested any A&E information over the last year and for a report from Greater Manchester Police about its investigation.

"It's very clear Master Howe was reported missing within moments of him going missing and it would be helpful to have an overview," the coroner said. "I believe he was treated as a high-risk missing person from the outset." That was confirmed by police coroners' officer Claire Smith.

Speaking to the M.E.N. after the hearing, dad James said: "We really miss him. We miss him everyday. That's all I can say."

Following her son's death, Luke's mother Elizabeth said he was 'just a beautiful, beautiful soul. So happy and loving, just a real character.' Thousands of people also paid tribute to Luke following his death including scores of M.E.N. readers.

His family launched a crowdfunding appeal, in his honour, to raise funds for a new soft play area at the school, as they said 'there was nothing he loved more.'

Auntie Jessica said the family wanted to 'focus now on doing something positive in Luke’s name.' “We have decided we would love to fundraise for his school, Brentwood College, in memory of his name," she said. "Brentwood is an outstanding school for SEND pupils with additional needs and we are hoping to fundraise for new soft play for the school." A total of more than 55,500 has so far been raised.

To find out more about the campaign, and to donate, click here.