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Family of suspected murder victim pay tribute to "gentle and funny" Joseph O'Hanlon

THE FAMILY of a 61-year-old Rochdale man who was found dead in a flat on Monday have paid tribute to him.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to a flat in Town Mill Brow, College Bank Way, Rochdale on Monday afternoon (May 2) after reports that a body had been discovered.

They later confirmed the death of Joseph O’Hanlon and arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

Today Mr O’Hanlon’s partner Linda, who he was with for 27 years, paid tribute to the man who brought up her son Francis as his own.

“Joseph was an incredibly generous man, he was gentle and funny and always tried to help others out, even when he had nothing of his own,” she said.

“He was the type of man who could light up a room with his presence. He had a love of music, poetry and colour and he was very artistic.

“He loved nothing more than talking and engaging with everyone he met.”

Francis also paid tribute to the man who he considered a father.

“We are absolutely devastated and heart broken by dad’s death,” he said.

“We are in disbelief and cannot comprehend how someone could do this to anybody.”

A post mortem examination found that Mr O’Hanlon died of “multiple injuries”.

GMP continue to question the 45-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Eales of GMP’s Major Incident Team said: “Our thoughts are with Joseph’s family at this incredibly difficult time. Our specialist officers are supporting the family and we are doing all that we can to give them the answers they deserve.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen Joseph between Thursday 28 April 2016 and Saturday 30 April 2016, in and around Town Mill Brow, College Bank Way in Rochdale to get in touch with police.

“We are keen to find out where Joseph was and who he was with.

“We have made an arrest however our investigation is on-going and we still need information. You might not think what you know is important, however even the smallest piece of information could help us piece together the puzzle that we are currently working on.”