Family tribute to 'loving' teen

Sean Rees with his girlfriend Charlotte Richards

The family of a 19-year-old man who died suddenly in Bridgend county earlier this week have paid tribute to their "outgoing and purposeful" son.

Sean Rees was found in a wooded lane near his home in Bettws near Bridgend early on Sunday.

Since the start of last year, 18 people under the age of 27 have apparently taken their own lives in the county.

Mr Rees' mother Tracy and father Byron also made a plea not to be contacted by the media and to respect their privacy.

In a statement released through the South Wales Police, they described him as a "very loving and well loved, intelligent, outgoing and purposeful."

He had lots of friends, kept himself fit and loved to run, especially after his nieces, whom he adored, they added.

"His life was well balanced, spending much of his time with his girlfriend Charlotte and of course his brother and sister," they said.

We have released this statement to pay tribute to our loving son and appeal to the media to respect our privacy Byron and Tracy Rees

"He was always such a good boy, we never had a day of trouble with him and he doted on his family.

"He touched the hearts of everyone he met.

"We have released this statement to pay tribute to our loving son and appeal to the media to respect our privacy.

"Like us, Charlotte and her family do not want to make any further comment to the media and we would ask reporters to respect this."

Mr and Mrs Rees said that despite requests, a number of reporters had sent them letters and knocked on their door which they found "incredibly distressing".

"We're appealing to the media to respect our wishes and to allow us to be alone to deal with losing our son, who meant the world to us," they said.

"We hope this statement will safeguard our privacy so that not only we as a family but our community as a whole can be allowed to grieve with the dignity we deserve."