The sister of a swimmer who went missing and feared drowned said he had "the kindest heart."
Haydn Griffiths disappeared when he went swimming with a friend in New Brighton, at around 10.30pm on Tuesday, July 19. Police said that on Sunday, July 23, they found a body at the Pier Head, Liverpool.
The 23-year-old's family has now confirmed the body found by police was Haydn. The death is being treated as unexplained, and a post mortem examination will take place to establish the cause.
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Speaking on ITV Granada, Haydn's sister Megan Griffiths said she was "so proud" to be his sister. She said: "Haydn was amazing, he is amazing. He was this big handsome giant, with the kindest heart and I am so proud to be his sister and I am so proud of what the community have done to help."
Haydn went swimming with a friend in an attempt to reach to the wind turbines near Derby Pool, on the hottest day on record, when he disappeared in the water and didn't resurface. A huge search was launched by the Coastguard and lifeboat volunteers along with police and the fire service, but was called off at around 5pm on Wednesday, July 20 after 18 hours.
Haydn's family and the local community then rallied together to search the coast for Haydn. It was reported that more than 100 people joined the search party last week and continued to look over the weekend.
Megan told ITV Granada the tide had turned and they were getting pulled out to sea, struggling to fight against the tide. She added: "I had this determination because Haydn is so strong. I wanted to be strong for him.
"He showed up yesterday as if to say here I am you can stop looking now because I would have searched forever. I wouldn't have stopped." Megan also made an emotional plea for people to be safe in the water.
Posting on her Instagram, Megan also shared more pictures of Haydn with his loved ones. Posting on a local Facebook page, someone on behalf of Megan and her family said they wanted to thank the people helped searched for Haydn.
They added Haydn had also brought "a community and beyond together." The post said: "Before Megan and her Family decided to head home, to digest everything, she wanted to do 1 thing and meet as many of her army. Time was set out and we arranged to Meet at the Derby Pool.
"I rang the Derby Pool to see if we could reserve an area, and briefly explained what it was about. The Derby Pool offered us the function Room for as long as we wanted. They even went out there way to hand the family a card of sympathy and also they provided us all with unlimited tea/coffee/ juice and various biscuits and croissants.
"Please if on behalf of us all. If you can drop them a little review to thank them for what they done for us today. They didn't have to do this.. Haydn has done one thing, and he has brought a community and beyond together.
"Please also share our just giving post. We are looking at ways to remember Haydn in New Brighton."
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