THE grieving family of Luke Noone whose body was found in a reservoir on Wednesday have paid tribute to the 21-year-old.

Luke’s auntie, Donna Baldwin, told the Lancashire Telegraph that she wanted to thank everyone involved in the search for her nephew, and could not put into words how they were all feeling at this time.

Ms Baldwin said: “It’s a really emotional time for us, we are trying to put something together to say how grateful we are for all the help and support but we are heartbroken and it is still very raw.”

Luke had been missing from Islington, Blackburn, since Tuesday, October 15, and was last seen on that day at around 10pm in Punstock Road, Darwen.

On Wednesday, police searching for the missing 21-year-old, found a body in a reservoir near Punstock Road.

Formal identification has yet to be carried out but the body is believed to be that of Luke.

Just before his disappearance, Luke, who was fond of fishing and would often camp out in the woods around Darwen, had been to see his auntie and had left his bag with her, taking only a white Samsung tablet with him, but no charger.

Ms Baldwin said: “We believe with very heavy hearts, the sad, sad news, that the body found is that of our nephew, son, brother, uncle, cousin and grandson.

“He was battling with so many demons over many years that he just couldn’t cope with anything anymore.

“He asked for the help of mental health services and I tried to reach out to him but it wasn’t enough.

“He felt let down and that the doctors weren’t helping.

“Luke would always call or drop a line to let me know what he was doing and where he was but no matter how many paths he would travel he always wanted his family.

“He would always drop in for a chat or a brew and a big, big hug and I am proud to call him my nephew.

“I want to thank all the friends of Luke, the public and of course the police for their help and support through a very difficult time.

“His friends have been in touch and they are broken.

“He called his friends his family.

“He would talk about his friends and family and have a laugh but deep down he wasn’t well.”

Ms Baldwin said she wanted to express her gratitude to the police teams and those who helped to rescue Luke’s body from the reservoir, especially Det Sgt Louise Briggs who had been supporting the family throughout the ordeal.

She said the family couldn’t even begin to speculate as to what happened to Luke and will await the coroners findings, but she said Luke was a very troubled young man.

She added: “He’s been like a second son to me and even though he wasn’t so close to his mum, she is heart broken.

“The most important thing to Luke was his family.

“All the memories of Luke we will always cherish.

“You’re at peace now Luke, fly high with the angels, love from all of your family.”

Luke’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to the coroner.