Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a talented boxer who vanished before his body was found in a water channel in Somerset. The family and friends of 22-year-old Jack Ayres are devastated by his death.
The young boxer was last seen during the early hours of March 3 in Street. His body was found less than 12 hours later in a body of water known as a rhyne. Jack’s family has now paid tribute to the “much-loved son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew and boyfriend.”
In a statement, Jack’s family said: “Nothing can put into words how we are all feeling right now. Jack was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew and boyfriend. We know that nothing will bring Jack back, but we just want to try and understand the lead-up to his passing.”
A community boxing club has also paid tribute to Jack. Pyramid Boxing Club said: “It is with great sadness that Pyramid Boxing Club has lost one of our young talented boxers.
“Jack was a friend, a family man and a true warrior and he will never know how much we will miss him. Thoughts go out to all of Jack’s family and friends at this sad time.”
One comment left on the post said: “My beautiful boy, the heartbreak, we miss you so so much”. Others have also paid their respects. Comments included: “RIP Jack”, “Rest in peace such sad news” and “Rest easy bro”.
Others said: “This is extremely gutting news. He was an extremely talented lad, I can’t believe this”. Another person said: “God bless you Jack rest easy”. Another person said: “Extremely sad news bless him”.
Someone who boxed Jack said: “Condolences to his family and friends, was an honour to share the ring with Jack twice, rest easy champ”. Another person said: “This is truly awful news. Condolences to his family, friends, and boxing club”.
Police were called at around 1.45pm on Monday, March 3 after a man’s body was in the water near Sharpham Drove.
The man was later formally identified as Jack Ayres. A post-mortem has been carried out, and the preliminary cause of death has been recorded as drowning. There was no evidence Jack suffered physical injuries.
Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for information or CCTV footage of Jack which may assist them in piecing together his final movements. Jack’s last known location was when he was walking along Sharpham Drove at around 2.30am on March 3.
Detective Chief Inspector Clement Goodwin said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Jack’s devastated family.
“We want to do all we can to provide them with as many answers as possible about what happened to their son in the moments leading up to his death, and to do that we have been to nearby properties to seek any relevant CCTV footage.
“The lack of any physical injuries would suggest the circumstances of his death are most likely to be non-suspicious, but we are treating it as unexplained while further enquiries are carried out on behalf of the coroner.
“We would ask any motorists who were travelling in that area during the early hours of Monday 3 March to please check any dashcam footage and come forward if they have something that can assist our enquiries. Any information would be gratefully received as it may be able to help us provide Jack’s family with greater clarity around what happened.”