Mother's tribute to 'a real character' who died after being found at Aldi car park
A mother has paid tribute to her "popular" son who died at the age of 35, who was found in the car park at Aldi in Wellington.
Janice Hitchin said more than 400 people attended the funeral of her son, Wayne John Hitchin.
An inquest held at Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre yesterday showed that he died after combining alcohol with opiates, which can be found in heroin or morphine.
Mr Hitchin had been released from Featherstone prison the day before his death and Shropshire coroner John Ellery said that the combination, after a period of abstinence in prison, was likely to have lead to his death.
Mrs Hitchin, of Wellington, said: "He had a smile that lit up a room. He was always cracking jokes. He was a real character, everybody loved him."
Mrs Hitchin, a grandmother of four, said she had received much support from her family since Wayne's death.
Flowers and messages were placed on railings opposite Aldi after Mr Hitchin's death.
