Tragedy as young boxer, 22, is found dead in a river as heartbroken family pay tribute to promising fighter

A young boxer has died at the age of 22, police in Somerset have confirmed

Jack Ayres was found dead after drowning in a river on March 3

Police are seeking information on the circumstances leading to his death

A young boxer has been found dead after going missing in Somerset.

Jack Ayres, 22, was last seen in the early hours of March 3, with his body found less than 12 hours later in a river.

Avon and Somerset Police responded to reports of a body being found in water at roughly 1.45pm on Monday, March 3 near Sharpham Drove.

A post-mortem revealed that drowning was the preliminary cause of death.

His devastated family said in a statement: ‘Nothing can put into words how we are all feeling right now.

‘Jack was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew and boyfriend.

Jack Ayres, 22, was found dead in Somerset on March 3. Police are appealing for information

‘We know that nothing will bring Jack back, but we just want to try and understand the lead-up to his passing.’

Jack boxed at Pyramid Boxing Club, who also paid a heartfelt tribute.

‘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.’

The police are now appealing for information or CCTV footage of the 22-year-old on the night he went missing.

His last known movements were recorded at around 2.30am on March 3, when he was walking along Sharpham Drove.

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.’