Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Family tribute to ‘irreplaceable’ teenager whose body was found in reservoir

Tyrese Johnson, 16, was described as a ‘kind, loving young man’ by his family after his body was recovered from a reservoir in the West Midlands.

Stephanie Wareham
Friday 26 July 2024 04:49 EDT
Tyrese Johnson, 16, was described as a “kind loving young man” by his family after he died in Lodge Farm Reservoir in Netherton earlier this week. (West Midlands Police/PA)
Tyrese Johnson, 16, was described as a “kind loving young man” by his family after he died in Lodge Farm Reservoir in Netherton earlier this week. (West Midlands Police/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

The family of a 16-year-old whose body was recovered from a reservoir have paid tribute to the “simply irreplaceable” teenager with “a heart full of gold”.

Tyrese Johnson had finished school for the summer when he got into difficulties in the water at Lodge Farm Reservoir in Netherton, Dudley, at around 6pm on Tuesday, West Midlands Police said.

Emergency services were called but he could not be saved and his body was pulled from the water the next day by police divers.

In a tribute released through the police, the family said: “Tyrese, words can’t describe what you meant to us as a family, your loving devoted mom, your brother, dad, your niece and nephew.

“You were a kind, loving young man with a heart full of gold. Your warm, gentle, kind-hearted soul, simply irreplaceable.”

Dudley Commander Chief Superintendent Anthony Tagg said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with Tyrese’s family and friends. The shock of his death has devastated the whole community and we share that grief.”

The death has been referred to the coroner.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in