'We need to know how our son died'

Annie Davidson

THE father of a teenager who was found dead after disappearing on a night out has made a fresh appeal for information about what happened to his son.

Michael Hannant said his family were desperate for answers about the events leading up to the tragic death of 19-year-old Daniel.

The teenager had been out with friends in Southwold and it is thought he could have been walking back to the family's home in Windsor Road, Reydon, when he went missing.

His worried parents raised the alarm early the next morning and searches were carried out by police and members of the public.

Sadly, Daniel's body was found by one of his friends in a ditch behind some allotments in Blyth Road, Southwold.

Now police have made a new appeal for anyone with information about what happened to the former Sir John Leman High School student that night to come forward.

Although the death is not being treated as suspicious, officers would like to hear from anyone who could help piece together his last hours.

Mr Hannant, 50, said yesterday: “If anyone could just come forward and say they saw Daniel walking or wherever he was going that would be a big help.

“Not knowing exactly what happened has been very hard.

“If he had been out and had a car crash it would have been very hard of course but I think we could have accepted it.

“The really hard part is not knowing what happened to him that night and why he headed up that way.”

Daniel, who worked at Somerfield supermarket, went to the Royal British Legion Club in Southwold to enjoy live music with friends on the night of his disappearance, Saturday, February 28, this year.

His body was found following extensive searches on Tuesday, March 3.

As well as his father, a painter and decorator, Daniel also leaves his mother Patricia, 50, and brothers, Joseph, 18 and 14-year-old Mark.

Mr Hannant said: “It was just a normal Saturday night. Daniel came home from work and got ready to go out with his friends and he told us he would be home round about midnight because he had to be up early the next morning as his shift at Somerfield was at 8am.

“If he ever did go out later to a nightclub or something he would phone and let us know as he wouldn't want us to worry.”

He added that because Daniel was so considerate his wife immediately feared the worst when he failed to return home without contacting them.

“It was only when it went all day Sunday (without hearing) that it began to sink in that something was really wrong,” Mr Hannant said.

Anyone with information about what happened to Daniel is asked to call Beccles Police on 01986 835300.

annie.davidson@eadt.co.uk