A fundraiser has been launched for the daughter of a former drugs enforcer dubbed 'Wild Man' after his death prompted an outpouring of support.
Tributes were paid earlier this week to Peter Mahoney, AKA Wild Man, after he died suddenly.
Peter, from Widnes, was remembered as "the bravest, biggest, baddest realest person I ever met," by fellow former drugs trafficker turned true crime author Shaun Attwood.
The pair were best friends since their childhood in Widnes and, as told in Shaun’s "Hard Time" autobiographical book trilogy, headed to Arizona in the US to help run a drugs ring in 1996.
Shaun and Peter were jailed in the US but later changed their lives, and Peter became known from his regular guest appearances on True Crime podcasts hosted by Shaun.
Following his death, a gofundme page was set up by Shaun to raise money for Peter's daughter.
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Writing on the page, Shaun said: "Following the sudden death of Wild Man, many of his supporters have requested that we establish a donation page.
"After discussing the matter with his family, we believe that Peter would have liked the donations to go to his daughter.
"We really appreciate these donations, which will help Peter's daughter have a more secure foundation in life. The donations will be paid directly from this page to Peter's brother, who is in charge of administering the funds for Peter's daughter."
Shaun had reported Peter's death earlier this week and within hours of his post on social media "RIP Wild Man" was trending on Twitter, as well-wishers and fans of Peter's appearance on Shaun's True Crime podcast posted hundreds of tributes.
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Paying tribute to his friend on Facebook, Shaun, 52, said: “RIP my best friend since childhood Wild Man Peter Mahoney the bravest biggest baddest realest person I ever met. “
Shaun had vowed to help out 'Wild Man' and share any success, having taken Peter “under his wing” when they were children.
In his books, Shaun revealed that Peter was already known as "Wild Man" by the age of 17 - after the nickname was invented by an uncle.
