Dean Millar who was found on the shoreline of the River Foyle 38 days after going missing
THE heartbroken family of Derry teenager Dean Millar whose body was found in the River Foyle has paid tribute to all those who helped during the search.
Dean’s remains were found by a farmer on the shoreline in the North West on April 18.
He had been missing for 38 days after he left friends but never arrived home.
The 18-year-old was last seen alive on Saturday, March 11 in the Brandywell area of the city.
His family believed he had entered the river close to Craigavon Bridge in the early hours of the following day.
Volunteers and rescue teams had been searching the river banks for the teen since his disappearance.
A Facebook page was also set up to help with the search and keep the public up to date.
In a statement on the Help Get Dean Home page, Dean’s loved ones have thanked all those who helped find him.
“The parents, sisters and wider Millar and McDaid family circle, would like to express sincere thanks in their recent loss of Dean.
“A special thanks to Foyle Search and Rescue, for the courtesy, respect shown to the family and the time they gave and dignity given to Dean at the time of recovery.
“Thanks also to Maiden City Sub Aqua Club and the Community Rescue Service (CRS), who assisted during the search.”
The teenager’s family also paid tribute to the Police Service for Northern Ireland.
“Also thanks to the PSNI for the way they handled our situation and the respect shown to the family and also for the way they assisted during Dean’s return to the family home for the wake.
“We would also like to thank Fr. Gormley and Fr. Frazer who supported us spiritually during the search for Dean and for the beautiful funeral mass.
“Thanks also to Sarah Griffin for the beautiful singing during Dean’s funeral.
“Thanks also to Seamus and Deborah from McLaughlin Funeral directors – Dungiven – for the way in which they helped us through our difficult time, and the way in which they prepared Dean for his final resting.”
A tribute was also paid to those volunteers who gave their time during the search for Dean which spanned over five weeks
“Also thanks to everyone who gave of their time during the long search for Dean.
“We would also like to thank business’s and individual’s who donated, food, money and necessities throughout the search.
“As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, we would like to express a general thanks to everyone who helped in any way, who called to the home, who sent mass cards, flowers and brought food during the wake.
“We trust that this heartfelt thanks is taken as a sincere token of our appreciation for all that was done during #helpgetdeanhome.”.
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