Mourning friends and family gathered to say their final goodbye to a carer who died last month.
Samuel Latham, from Southport, was found dead under Southport Pier on Monday, October 24, with the death initially being described as "unexplained" by Merseyside Police. His family spoke to the ECHO, describing how Samuel was "always smiling" despite him struggling with his mental health over the years.
Speaking to the ECHO his dad Roger said: "The majority of the time he was a very happy and entertaining young man. Unfortunately due to his illness, he spent a lot of time in the hospital.
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"The last few months he was very withdrawn and had no interest in anything. We did not know what to do and there were just glimpses of the nice, happy Sam who would come down and speak to us. Then he would disappear again."
Samuel was a carer for more than 10 years and Roger said the family is now "at a loss" after the death of their "music-mad" son.
Roger said: "His job could get him down sometimes, especially if someone died but he loved it. Samuel loved music and he would take his guitar in and sing to all the patients, he was always trying to put a smile on their faces.
Earlier today, family and friends all gathered at Scarisbrick New Road Baptist Church in Southport to remember the 32-year-old as his coffin was brought into the churchyard in a silver horse-drawn carriage. Wearing green in memory of Samuel, dozens paid their respects as rain teemed down on a day that will be remembered by all who were there.
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