The 'devastated' family of an ex-Royal Marine Veteran who was found dead four days after going missing have paid tribute to him.
David Hazeltine, 79, was tragically found on a path near Westwood, in Oldham on Friday morning (July 7). Emergency services were called to a concern for the welfare of a man, where David was pronounced dead at the scene.
He had been reported missing without his medication four days before, on Monday (July 3) with a number of urgent appeals shared by Greater Manchester Police.
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Following his death, David's family have paid tribute to him and said he was 'described as a lovely man by all who met him' and was 'very independent despite his worsening Alzheimer's'. The 79-year-old was an ex-Royal Marine Veteran who had travelled the world in his younger years.
A statement said: “We would like to thank family, friends and the wider public who helped via social media to spread the word when my Dad went missing.
“As an ex-Royal Marine veteran, Dad was a very proud and independent man despite his worsening Alzheimer’s. A man who had travelled the world in his career, he loved to spend his later years growing and sharing his fruit and veg from his allotment.
"He is described as a lovely man by all who met him and he will be sadly missed by his family. Our family are devastated by our loss.”
Greater Manchester Police said they do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding David's death.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 11.15am on Friday 7 July 2023, officers were called to a concern for welfare of a male on a path near Westwood, Oldham. Officers and emergency services attended.
"Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the male was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death."
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