Family's grief 'too deep for words' as remains found

A family say they are suffering "a grief too deep for words" after a body discovered by a motorway bridge was confirmed to be their missing relative.

Remains found close to the M57 in Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester in August have been identified through DNA testing to be those of Ajani Campbell, who went missing from Preston in July.

The 41-year-old's family described him as a "force of nature - funny caring and incredibly loving"."

They added the confirmation that the remains were Ajani's had been "devastating".

There were no personal belongings or items with the remains that could have helped identify who it was, Greater Manchester Police said.

Following a forensic post-mortem examination, DNA extracted from a bone enabled officers to formally identify the remains as Campbell.

Investigators established that he had been circulated as a high-risk missing person after leaving his home on 24 January.

He travelled by train to Manchester Piccadilly, arriving in the early hours of 25 January. CCTV footage later captured him in Manchester city centre, including on Deansgate at the junction with Quay Street at 1.48 BST.

That was the last confirmed sighting of him.

His family described him as a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend with a passion for life, fitness and the outdoors.

They said he also had a gift for rapping and a deeply spiritual nature that helped him connect with people.

And they thanked those who had supported them during the search, adding that his "light will live on forever in our hearts".

Det Sgt Ian Parker said officers' thoughts remained with Campbell's loved ones and that investigators were continuing to examine his movements in the hours before he was last seen.

He said police were keeping an open mind about the circumstances of his death and had not ruled out any lines of enquiry.

Officers have appealed for anyone who saw Campbell in Manchester on the weekend of 24 and 25 January, or who has information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

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