Family and friends of a Maryport man who was found dead after four months of searching have paid tribute to his life.
Family have identified a body found on Tuesday near Beckfoot, three miles south of Silloth, as 46-year-old Glen Jackson.
The search for Glen was one of the biggest missing person’s searches in Cumbria’s recent history and his family have spent months trying to find him.
Glen’s mother Jackie Ostle said: “Glen was funny, caring and deeply courageous. He was everyone’s friend if they needed help or were in danger.
“He protected people, lost causes and he saved countless animals who were homeless or in abusive homes. Many are alive now purely because Glen stepped in. I used to beg him to join Greenpeace.
“Glen’s friends have kept me going throughout the time of loss – people who I didn’t even know before May 21. They have been relentless in their efforts to find him. Lauren-Louise Orme, her sister Rachel and her mother Emma have given their time endlessly in the searches. Lauren often looking through the night, posting flyers to keep people looking.
“Kym Hodgson from Carlisle started the media awareness by posting videos rallying people to look for Glen. Then a Maryport man came forward and said he would take up the search. He has given up all his spare time, researching Glen then walking miles until finally, on Tuesday, he found Glen. Leigh Smith, my family and I will never be able to thank you enough.”
Lauren-Louise Orme, who saw Glen as an uncle said: “Glen was the most loving and down to earth bloke you could ever meet, he would do anything for anyone and helped me whenever I needed it, he classed me as his niece once and it always just stuck.
“This is why I wanted to do what I did to help as he always helped me when I needed it. I also want to say a massive thank you to Leigh Smith for finding him after a long 129 days and bringing him home, I will never ever be able to thank him enough and neither can Glen’s family.
“Me and Kym never ever gave up and we didn’t stop till the end and thanks to Leigh we can get closure. Rest easy Glen, you’re forever in my heart, he’s going to be such a big miss to many.”