Tributes paid to 'perfect son' after remains found

Tributes have been paid to a "perfect son" and much-loved brother and uncle after his remains were found in countryside last month.

Craig Hurcombe, 39, from Rowde in Wiltshire, was reported missing on 10 January, nine days after he was last seen.

On 14 January, Avon and Somerset Police officers found human remains following searches in the Roemead Road area of Gurney Slade in Somerset, which were formally identified to belong to Craig.

Michael Bretton, 40, of Shaftesbury in Dorset, was arrested in connection with his disappearance and has been charged with murder.

He has also been charged with one count of stalking involving fear of violence against a woman and is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court for trial on Monday 13 July.

In a tribute issued on behalf of the family, Craig's parents Nicola and Paul said his "meaningless death" had impacted many people.

"Craig was the perfect son and an independent man, and we are living with unimaginable loss and a huge hole in our lives which we will never come to terms with," they said.

They added: "Craig is survived by eight nieces and nephews who miss him and cannot understand why he is not there to play with them."

"Craig was very hardworking, ambitious, and very well thought of in his circle of work," the statement continues.

They said his two sisters, Laura and Jessica, and one brother, Ashley, were "grieving a brother they love".

"He had his whole life ahead of him, and that was needlessly taken away."

Craig's family said he was a keen sportsman from a young age and played for Devizes Rugby Club, where he was also the vice-president.

"His meaningless death had an impact on so many people, both old and young," they added.

Avon and Somerset Police previously said a mandatory referral had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, due to the death occurring following previous police contact.

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