THE family of missing Jack Morrad have paid tribute to him after investigators issued official confirmation that his body was found during a search of a park fishing lake.
It comes as Essex Police confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
The force said, following the extensive search and investigation it will now prepare a file for the coroner.
Jack, 28, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, December 23, after having spent the day watching his beloved West Ham with pals before going on to Colors nightclub, in Basildon.
A 13-day search for him followed but it was suspended shortly after 11.30am on Thursday when investigating teams found a body in Gloucester Park, Basildon - near to where he was last spotted on CCTV.
A post mortem examination, carried out on Friday, found he died from drowning.
In an emotional tribute, Jack’s family: “It is impossible to describe Jack in a couple of sentences.
“All we can say is that his death is a loss to this whole world. As a family we are totally heartbroken over what has happened to Jack.
“We want to thank all of Jack’s friends and family, along with the wider community and Essex Police for their efforts during the search.
“We really do appreciate the effort that everyone went to in order to find Jack.
“We would now ask that everyone now respects our privacy.”
Community leaders have also paid tribute to the popular 28-year-old.
David Dadds, mayor of Basildon, tweeted: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the news about Jack Morrad. May I, on behalf of the council, extend our deep and sincere sympathy to his family and friends at this time.
“You are in our prayers.”
Jack Ferguson, Labour councillor for Pitsea North-West, tweeted: “Very sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts are with Jack’s family and friends.”
Football fans also paid their respects during a match between West Ham and Birmingham City on Saturday as fans stood and applauded on the 28th minute, as his picture flashed up on the screens.
Jack was last seen in Broadhurst Place, Basildon at 2.30am on Sunday December 23 after he had been on a night out in the town.
He was reported missing and Essex Police launched a large-scale search to find him.
Extensive searches were carried out across Basildon by officers with the support of Jack’s family and friends, volunteers from Essex Search and Rescue and members of the public.
As part of the police enquiries, officers began searching the main fishing lake at Basildon’s Gloucester Park on Thursday morning having had it drained on Wednesday.
The search was suspended on Thursday following the discovery of Jack’s body.
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