Family's tribute to 'fun-loving' teacher after canal death

Gary Bartram was found dead in a canal in Longsdon

The family of a secondary schoolteacher found dead in a canal said he had a “warm, kind, fun-loving zest for life”.

Gary Bartram’s body was recovered from the water near Deep Hayes Country Park on Sutherland Road, Longsdon, near Leek, just before 09:00 GMT on Sunday.

A 49-year-old man from Dundee was arrested on the same day on suspicion of murder.

He was released on conditional bail.

In a statement, the family of Mr Bartram, 49, said words could not express their devastation.

“He has left behind a loving family, a huge group of lifelong friends and a community of students that he had made his life's work to teach and support in any way he could,” they said.

“His warm, kind, fun-loving zest for life brought joy to all of us. He is irreplaceable, our hearts are broken, and the family respectfully asks that we are given time and space to grieve during this very difficult time.”

Det Insp Nathan Hough said officers were investigating the events leading up to Mr Bartram’s death.

He urged people not to speculate about what happened.