The family of a London hiker have spoken about their heartbreak after his body was found five months after he went missing in the Dolomites mountain range in Italy.
Aziz Ziriat, 36, was discovered lying in a rocky crevice on Saturday, around 400m below where the body of his friend, Sam Harris, 35, had previously been found.
The pair, who were both from London, went missing while hiking in January.
Following the painful news, Mr Ziriat’s family have described how the past few months, while the charity worker had been missing, had been “incredibly difficult for everyone who knew and loved him”.
Mr Ziriat's family said: "Whilst we are relieved to have finally found him, there are no words to describe how heartbroken we are to lose our beloved Aziz.”
"But we have been comforted by the overwhelming love we have received - we will be eternally grateful for everyone's support," they added.
The hiker’s family also expressed "heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude" to the rescuers, the emergency services and volunteers who had worked tirelessly in “challenging and dangerous conditions” to find his body.
The family added: "Being with Aziz was to witness his deep connection with and appreciation of life.
"He lived every moment with optimism, good humour and humility; he was, and still is, loved by so many."
One of Mr Ziriat’s family members described how his absence was “deeply felt” on a GoFundMe page set up to honour his legacy.
“Aziz touched so many lives with his warmth, his laughter, and his unwavering belief in community,” they wrote. “His absence is deeply felt, but we are determined to honour his memory and always remember the light he brought into the world.”
The family is raising funds to recognise the huge search efforts by the Alpine Rescue Service in Italy and to champion programmes that help refugees in South London, and to support the work done by the Crystal Palace Foundation.
Funds will also be used to install memory benches in Bushy Park, Teddington, near the family’s home, as well as in Brockwell Park in Herne Hill, which was Mr Ziriat’s “favourite local nature escape”.
Mr Ziriat’s body was found in the Passo di Conca area by specialist search teams, including a canine unit, Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue confirmed.
A spokesman said the rescuers “lowered themselves down the wall below the base of the slope, where the dog finally signalled the missing man’s body in a rocky crevice, where it had been covered by snow”.
He said Mr Ziriat’s family was immediately informed of the discovery.
Mr Harris’s body was discovered on January 8. The friends had not been seen or heard from since January 1 and did not check in for their flight home on January 6.
Their last known location was near a mountain hut called Casina Dosson, close to the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda on Lake Garda.
Palace for Life, the official charity of Crystal Palace FC where Mr Ziriat worked as head of community engagement for a year and a half, said it was “deeply saddened” by the news that the charity worker’s body had been found.
In a statement on its website, the charity described Mr Ziriat as an “inspirational member of our team” who was incredibly passionate about his work and making a difference to the lives of some of the most disadvantaged young people.
“Aziz had a particular passion for our work with the local Asian and Muslim communities and local refugees.” the statement explained. “He was instrumental in inviting local refugees to play at Selhurst Park and the Crystal Palace Academy, donating football boots and providing travel subsidies so they could take part.
“Aziz was an incredible person with an infectious love for life. Throughout his time here Aziz formed close friendships throughout the local community.
“He was a compassionate, kind and generous individual who brought warmth and positivity to everybody met. He is deeply missed by all of us here at Palace.”
Joe Stone, a university friend of Mr Ziriat, previously told the PA news agency that the pair were “experienced hikers” who liked to go off the grid, but “alarm bells were raised” when they failed to check in for their return flight.
