THE devastated family of Tom Williamson, whose death is the subject of a murder investigation, have paid an emotional tribute to a "loyal family member and friend".
Tom, 30, died from multiple injuries at Charles Street in Tyldesley at about 1.30am on Saturday, September 25.
An 18-year-old man was arrested in midweek on suspicion of murder and has since been bailed.
Tom's family said: "He was always honest and trustworthy, sometimes too honest. He knew how to make you laugh with his sense of humour and through difficult times, he was caring and supportive.
READ> CCTV image of car released as part of Tom Williamson murder investigation
"He would often keep himself to himself but had recently joined the gym and bought a lovely puppy called Bandit. He loved the dog and the dog loved him. He enjoyed going for a walk with him which lifted his spirits, and now this simple everyday occurrence we took for granted is gone.
"Everybody who knew Tom had a story of how kind and brutally honest he could be, which made us all laugh. He touched their hearts with his vulnerability.
"His Dad and younger sister are devastated at losing Tom, and they will miss him forever and feel robbed of the time they will not get to spend with him.
"The world will be a much smaller and duller place without you in it, Tom. Anybody who knew you will understand the heart-wrenching pain that we are feeling and it will never be the same again without you."
Police are continuing to follow a number of lines of enquiry, and, as reported previously, detectives are now wanting to locate the occupants of a silver Chevrolet Kalos that was seen driving past Mr Williamson shortly before the incident occurred.
CCTV images show the car, which has been recovered by police in Platt Bridge, and is being subjected to forensic testing.
Anyone with any information or CCTV or DashCam footage is being urged to contact police either through our online portal: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP21L18-PO1, by calling GMPs major incident room on 0161 856 6777, or by using our LiveChat service on our website, www.gmp.police.uk quoting log number 280 of 25/09/2021.
People can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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