Friends have paid tribute to a popular young Co Antrim man after his body was discovered in the early hours of Monday morning.
Emergency services were called to the Sentry Hill area of Ballymena at around 5am.
It's understood that a dog walker came across the scene and shocked locals awoke to find several police vehicles and two emergency ambulances in the area.
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A police cordon was in place at an area of trees around the incident for most of Monday morning as emergency vehicles remained at the scene.. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time, police later confirmed.
A statement issued by the PSNI said: "Police are currently in attendance at the scene of a sudden death in the Sentry Hill area of Ballymena. It is not being treated as suspicious at this time.
"There are no further details."
North Antrim Alliance MLA Patricia O’Lynn said: “My thoughts are with the family of the deceased as well as the individual who discovered the body this morning Sentry Hill.
“I would ask those who regularly walk this route to avoid the area to allow the police to complete their investigations before returning to the route.”
The man has since been named locally as Ciaran McIlwaine.
As news of his death emerged, many friends took to social media to express their shock and pay tribute.
“Rip Del. Gonna be missed by many, such a shock to wake up to. So many good memories that'll never be forgotten,” said one.
Another added: “Can’t believe I’m writing this Del - what a guy you’ll be sadly missed bro… what is this world coming to? It’s hard but you definitely dealt with it in the finest manner.
“Now you’re gone and left us behind and I know you didn’t want to go right now. It wasn’t your time but fly high bro and keep watching over your family and friends. Life is too short and God does only take the best.”
“Del you're at peace now brother was a pleasure knowing you. Mad as a hatter but a good heart always RIP,” added a third.
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