The grieving family of a dad-of-six have paid tribute to their “lovable rogue” who is remembered for being “kind” and “caring”.
Much-loved son, brother and partner, Lee Young, died on July 16 in Hawkhurst, at the age of 32.
His family say his loss has left a huge hole in their hearts and a “void that will never be filled”.
It comes after his father Gary Young, pleaded for the public’s help to find his son when he went missing on Tuesday, July 8, after kissing his pregnant partner goodbye and saying he’d be back later.
Despite an emotional appeal asking for Lee to come home, he was found dead in woodland just over a week after he disappeared.
Now, the family have paid tribute to their “beautiful” big-blue-eyed boy who had the “cheekiest smile”.
Lee’s dad, Gary said: “I had a very, very, special bond with him. If you found Lee, you found me – if you found me, you found Lee.
“He was amazing. Nothing was ever too much; he’d never expect anything in return.
“He was kind and conscientious. He was a perfectionist in everything he did. He had a lot of love and care.”
He remembers Lee’s love for his children, calling them his “life” and said he was an “amazing dad”.
Gary continued: “I’m going to miss him so much. He was just some kind of special. It’s been a complete bombshell, none of us saw this coming.
“My life is never going to be the same.”
Now the dad-of-four is urging parents to keep their children close and encourage them to speak to you about any problems, no matter how big or small.
“I don’t want Lee to become a statistic,” he added, as he recalls the nine days he spent searching for his son, adding: “I would never have stopped”.
Lee’s partner, Lyndsey Wheatley, said he was “the sweetest of souls” and had a heart of gold.
She added: “Nothing was ever too much; he would help anyone if and when he could, that’s just who he was.
”He was a great dad/step dad and he truly loved the role of being a dad, he was so hands on and his beautiful blue eyes would light up when it came to the kids.
”I’d finally found my person in Lee and it breaks me that he’s no longer here and that the plans we made together can no longer be, he’s taken a part of me with him and I’ll forever hold on to what we had.
“He’ll forever have my heart.”
Lee’s brother Shane also recalled fond memories of their childhood riding bikes or BMXs together at the track, doing jumps and stunts.
“There will never be anyone else like Lee”, he added, as he described his brother as “unique” and extremely “clever”.
Into their adult life, he says the pair remained close and would laugh and joke, adding: “He wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend.
“He was a lovable rogue but when he loved, he loved with his whole heart. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother in my life.
“He had a heart the size of the moon. If you needed something, he’d give you his last £5 from his pocket.
“I want him to be remembered for the man that he was – he was a fantastic dad.”
