Dean Geary laid to rest

Published 13 Apr 2010 16:00

THE family of Dean Geary admitted they found some relief in finally being able to lay their loved one to rest last week - two long months after he died.

But they will never be able to move on until the circumstances surrounding the 19-year-old's death can be explained, they added.

As hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Dean at Bonhill Parish Church on Thursday afternoon, his family issued an emotional appeal for the information they hope can help ease their suffering.

The community has united in grief for Dean, a former Ladyton Primary and Vale of Leven Academy pupil who was a keen footballer and had played for a number of teams in the area.

And the turnout was clear evidence of how the tragic events which took place in the early hours of Sunday February 7 have been deeply felt here.

Mourners then joined family members at Renton Bowling Club.

In the family statement, released through Central Scotland Police, the family spoke of their suffering.

The statement read: "The last two months have been a distressing and stressful time for us all.

"We are obviously devastated at Dean's death and we are still trying to come to terms with it - we are relieved that we can now lay him to rest.

"Dean was a typical fun-loving boy who adored his family.

"He was a keen footballer and loved socialising with his friends and girlfriend - his smile would light up the room he was in.

"Dean was looking forward to his holiday in Ibiza where he and his friends had arranged to meet his dad for a meal and a few drinks.

"We are struggling to understand what happened to Dean and not a day goes by that we don't think about him.

"We appreciate the scale of the inquiry and the work carried out by Central Scotland Police into Dean's death.

"We urge anyone who knows how our son, brother, boyfriend came to be on that stretch of road and how he died, to come forward.

"Until we know how Dean died we are not able to move on as a family.

"Somebody somewhere knows something and we will not rest until the person responsible for his death has been found."

Before Dean's body was found at the side of the A811 he had been on a night out with friends in Glasgow city centre.

It is believed he may have got a taxi from there but no driver has ever come forward despite well publicised appeals.

The last confirmed contact with him was at 3.30am.

What happened after that remains unclear but it seems unlikely Dean ever returned to Tullichewan.

His body was found near Gartocharn, around 500 yards from the junction of the A811 and the A809, near to Corrievan Boarding Kennels, at 5.30am.

There were unconfirmed sightings reported of a man matching Dean's description walking eastwards towards Drymen, in the opposite direction of Alexandria, at around 4.50am and then at 5.15am.

Anyone with information should contact Central Scotland police on 01786 456000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 13 Apr 10

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