Mums tribute to her 'happy boy' - 2 March
TRIBUTES have been paid to Thomas Haddock, whose body was found in woodland near Fradley on Saturday afternoon.
Tom went missing the previous weekend after celebrating his upcoming
21st birthday at a family party.
His body was found by a member of the public at around 2.30pm on February
25 at Riles Spinney, off Common Lane.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
This week, Tom's mum Pamela Baxter paid tribute to her son and thanked
everyone who helped in the search for him. "He was a good looking
lad with a wicked sense of humour," she said. "He had impeccable
manners, he loved people and he loved his cars. "Tom loved life,
socialising with his friends and having fun. "He was a happy boy
and we will all miss him terribly."
A former John Taylor High School pupil who grew up in Barton, Tom had
recently moved to Cheltenham to live with his father Edmund, where they
were planning to start up their own building firm. On the day he disappeared,
February 18, he had enjoyed an early 21st party at his mum's home in Shaw
Lane at Rileyhill, near Kings Bromley, before setting out on foot for
a night out with friends in Lichfield. His 21st birthday fell last Wednesday,
February 22.
"He enjoyed his party on the Saturday – his sister Emily gave a speech
and he hid behind a balloon," remembered Pamela. "It feels like
everything that has happened since is just not real."
A service for Tom at St James Church in Barton has been arranged for
11.45am next Wednesday, March 7.
Instead of sending flowers, donations in Tom's memory can be made to Staffordshire
Search and Rescue Team.
"All the people who helped with the search were tremendous and I
can't believe all the support from people on Facebook," said Pamela.
"I want to thank everyone – all his friends, all the rescue teams
and the police. "I'd love it if all his friends could come to the
service on Wednesday. Emily and I would love to see them."
Inspector Jed White, commander of Lichfield district local policing team,
said: "This is a very sad conclusion to our investigation to find
Thomas and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult
time. "I would like to thank all members of the affected community,
and the general public, for their help, assistance and offers of support
around the investigation over the past week. It is heart-warming to see
so many people offering their support in such circumstances.
"I would also like to say thank you to the volunteers of Staffordshire,
and Cheshire, Search and Rescue Teams, who have spent many hours working
alongside Staffordshire Police personnel in the search for Thomas."
A post-mortem examination on Tom's body took place on Tuesday and an inquest
was opened and adjourned the same day.
Article from Lichfield Mercury Thursday March 1st 2012
