A gym lover who developed health issues after contracting Covid-19 has been found dead at the age of 32.
Gavin Florence, a much-loved and popular ex-forklift truck driver, was found by friends at his flat in Buckley, north east Wales on Friday.
He was described as the "life and soul of the party" by sister Rebecca and was a "father figure" to her son Noah, who soon turns two.
Before contracting and being hospitalised with coronavirus last year, Gavin, who had several godchildren, was a "fit and active young man" who "loved going to the gym".
He had developed problems with his kidneys and tests are being carried out to establish the exact cause of his death, his family say.
An inquest is expected to be held at a later date, North Wales reports.
Sister Rebecca, 23, also of Buckley, said Gavin contracted Covid-19 last August and was treated in Wrexham Maelor Hospital for a week.
He was tested and was also found to have pneumonia.
"When he was in hospital the doctors told him he had a 50-50 chance of living. But when he was well-enough they sent him home. He got himself a job not long after," she said.
"But he started complaining of back pain. It got to the point that he was having to crawl out of his flat and down the stairs because he couldn't walk because he was in so much pain."
His family took him to the Countess of Chester Hospital where he learned that his kidneys were starting to fail.
"We took him to A&E and he refused to stay in A&E," she added.
"So they gave us an appointment to come back four days later and then he stayed for a few days."
He came home and was due to have a scan on his kidneys.
Recently, he started to complain about the pain again, and a group of friends went to check on him last Friday because they hadn't heard from him for a couple of days.
Rebecca said: "They went into his flat at about 7pm and he said 'I'm feeling better'. But when they went back that night, that's when they had to break in to the flat and they found him. They thought he was asleep but he'd passed.
"They phoned the police and the ambulance. At the minute there is no cause of death. They are just doing further testing."
She added: "He loved his food and he loved going to the gym. Gav was a very well-known lad and everybody loved him. He just clicked with everyone so quickly. He was like a big brother and a father figure to everyone. He always took people under his wing and looked after them.
"He was the life and soul of the party and he always had a smile on his face. You'd rarely see him without his hat or sunglasses."
Gavin was single but had had several godchildren who were "like his own children". They included Marley, Harper, Freddie and Joey.
Rebecca said: "He was a father figure to his godchildren really, and to my son Noah, who is nearly two." Gavin was also devoted to his pet bulldog Boomer.
A GoFundMe appeal has now been started to help pay for Gavin's funeral and to erect a headstone in his memory. Over £4,000 has been raised so far.
To make a donation, click here.
