The family of missing Leah Croucher has suffered more heartbreak tonight after her 24-year-old brother Haydon died in hospital.
The circumstances of his death are not yet clear but his passing was confirmed by distraught father John.
Haydon’s sister Leah, with whom he was very close, has not been seen since February this year and massive police searches and appeals have failed to find any trace of her.
She disappeared while on the way to work in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Leah Croucher’s family face new heartbreak tonight after her 24 year old brother Haydon was found dead (pictured together)
John, a martial arts instructor, told of the family’s devastation at the death of Haydon tonight.
He said: ‘What kind of life is it that you can speak to your son on Thursday evening to reassure him that we all feel the same sadness at Friday 15th, approaching nine months with no news about Leah is a terrible thing to face.
‘We promise to meet up the following day so we can face it together. Hours later police knock at the door and tell you that Haydon is fighting for his life.
‘The doctors say the prognosis is bad. You sit by his bedside and watch him deteriorate by the minute. You have to say your goodbyes.
‘What do you say in that situation?
‘You tell him you love him. You reminisce about funnier times. You beg him to come back to us.
‘Finally you have to tell him to go and be at peace.
Haydon’s sister Leah, with whom he was very close, has not been seen since February this year
Leah Croucher, 19, was last seen in Furzton, Milton Keynes just after 8.15am on February 15 (right). Her family last saw her at around 10pm the evening before
‘You hold him as he slips away. To say our hearts and minds are broken is an understatement.
‘Haydon was a kind, generous, funny, witty and loving person and in his words an amazingly good looking bloke.
‘He had a huge heart. He was only 24. Too young to be gone forever.
‘He has left behind two families and friends that loved him dearly. We will all miss him. Always.
‘Be at peace Haydon. If Leah is up there with you look after each other as always, until we get there. We love and miss you both terribly.
‘Our world could not be more broken than it is now.’
Haydon had been involved in the search for his younger sister and in May appeared at Aylesbury crown court accused of threatening a man who had dated the 19-year-old.
Miss Croucher’s parents John and Claire Croucher held an emotional press conference in February appealing for information. John has now confirmed their son’s death
He accepted a restraining order from Judge Francis Sheridan and the prosecution was dropped.
At the time the judge told him: ‘This is a real tragedy. You and your family are entitled to and deserve our utter sympathy’
Leah went missing from her home in Emerson Valley on Friday February 15 this year.
The night before, she had not told her parents where she had been for 75 minutes.
She was last seen in Furzton, Milton Keynes just after 8.15am and was walking towards work.
Her mobile phone and bank account have not been used since.
Three witnesses reported that a female that could possibly have been Leah was seen by Furzton Lake, another lake in the city on 15 February, between 9.30am and 11.15am.
She was reported as being ‘angry, upset and crying’. A search of the lake was carried out but nothing was found.
