The family of man found dead five months after he disappeared from hospital has told how they have been left “heartbroken”.
The body of 40-year-old Barry McCullagh was discovered by police in the Old Patrick Water in Elderslie, Johnstone, around 6.15pm on Sunday.
The dad-of-two, from Castlemilk, was last seen on CCTV near the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley on Wednesday, October 5.
He had been admitted the previous night after suffering from seizures.
Barry’s sister Stacey said his loved ones were devastated by the news.
Writing on social media, she said: “Hi everyone, just want to say thanks to those that shared my posts about my brother Barry.
“He was missing for 174 days. Sadly we got bad news on the 27th of March that police had found him dead.
“We are all heartbroken.”
Emergency services remained in attendance at the scene in Johnstone on Monday as other tributes poured in for Barry.
Mac White said: “RIP Barry McCullagh. You will be surely missed by all the family. Thank you to all who aided in the search for him and who shared posts.”
Stephanie Thomson added: “Heartbreaking, you never see anything like this in our village but this is just so heartbreaking. This poor family have been through torment for months and our only hope now is they have closure and can lay their boy to rest.
“Fly high Barry.”
And Sharon McCullagh White said: “So sad. He was loved and will be missed by all his family and friends. Please keep the family in your hearts, thoughts and prayers. Thank you all.”
While Victoria Lee wrote: “Absolutely devastated, love you so much Barry McCullagh best guy I know. Rest In Peace brother.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 6.15 pm on Sunday, 26 March 2023, police were called to a report of a body of a man in Old Patrick Water, Elderslie, Johnstone. Officers and emergency services are at the scene and enquiries are ongoing.
“Although formal identification has yet to take place, the family of Barry McCullagh, who has been missing from the Paisley area since Wednesday, 5 October 2022, have been informed.”
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