The devastated family of a 17-year-old boy at the centre of a murder investigation in Heywood have paid tribute to a 'lovely lad with a good heart'.
Callum Riley's loved ones said 'life will never be the same again' after he tragically died last Saturday morning (September 17). He was found badly injured in the garden of a property on Atholl Drive and sadly died a short time later.
Callum's mum described him as a 'strong and caring young man' while his dad said he 'never failed' to make his family laugh. In full, a tribute from his mum issued through Greater Manchester Police said: "Callum was a strong and caring young man, loved so deeply by his family, friends and his girlfriend.
READ MORE: Police make further arrests in Callum Riley murder probe after teenager found fatally injured
"His love for his mother and his brothers was immeasurable. A lovely lad, with a good heart, protective of his family and always the best of intentions.
"Stolen away from us far too young in life. He will be forever missed, and remembered with Love.
"Life will never be the same again. As a family we ask for the respect and privacy whilst we come to terms with this huge loss in our lives."
The teenager's dad said: "Callum was a much-loved son, brother and uncle. He was a loving caring young man who never failed to make us laugh. He will be sadly missed by us all. In death as you were in life, unforgettable."
Following Callum's death, a murder investigation was launched which has resulted in a number of people being arrested. On Sunday, police said a 25-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 23-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
On Saturday, two men - aged 18 and 33 - were also arrested on suspicion of murder. A 21-year-old woman was released facing no further action.
Mr Riley was known affectionately as 'Russell' or 'Russel' to pals due to his similar appearance as a child to a character in a film, local residents told the Manchester Evening News on Saturday. Tributes were paid by hundreds of people on Facebook after his tragic death.
One man who said he found Mr Riley hurt in the garden of a house and desperately tried to perform CPR to help him. "I heard a load of screaming at 4.30am," he said.
"We heard a scream for help and looked outside the bedroom window, but we couldn't see anything. Half an hour later we heard a scream for help again. We just heard screaming, all we could hear was 'help, help'.
"It wasn't until when it was light out, when someone knocked on and said there was a man in a garden. I went in the garden and I called police and they asked me to perform CPR on him. It's a sad thing, a young lad."
Patrols have been stepped up since the incident and the murder probe continues. This morning (September 20), a spokesperson for GMP said: "The investigation into his death is continuing and a number of suspects remain in police custody for questioning."
Anyone with information should contact GMP via Public Portal ( mipp.police.uk ) or 0161 856 3400 quoting 723 17/09/22. Information can also be shared via the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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