Tributes to schoolboy, 12, found hanging

Jul 22 2008 By Ben Turner

A “MODEL” schoolboy was found hanging from a tree hours after going out to play.

Today the family of 12-year-old Joe Richardson paid tribute to their “much loved” boy from Up Holland, near Skelmersdale.

Neighbours, who formed a search party when he failed to return home after going out to play on Monday night, made the grim discovery.

A pupil at Up Holland High School, in Orrell, Joe was last seen by mother Soffia Rawstern at 7.50pm.

He was found hanging from a tree in a wooded area off High Meadow, next to his Dewberry Fields home, and pronounced dead at Wigan Royal Infirmary just before midnight.

Leading the tributes to the popular student, Soffia appealed for privacy as the family tried to come to terms with the tragedy.

She said: “Joe was friendly, popular and much loved. We are struggling to come to terms with his death and would be grateful for privacy at this extremely difficult time.”