The heartbroken sister of Andrew Ballantyne has paid tribute to her 'big hearted' brother after his body was found under a bridge.
Kerry-Anne Ballantyne said the family were devastated when police confirmed the 35-year-old's body had been recovered from water Canderside Toll in Larkhall at around 11am yesterday.
Dad-of-two Andrew, from Lanark, suffered with mental health problems and had been missing for 16 days.
He was last seen at around 9pm on Saturday, October 3, in Lockhart Street in the Lanarkshire village.
Kerry, who lives in Bradford, said: "We were worried sick and my family been constantly looking for him. We were just hoping he would come home.
"I haven't been able to stop crying since we found what happened.
"Our whole family is broken."
Despite Andrew's struggles, Kerry said her brother would still go out his way to help others.
The 30-year-old added: "He had a huge heart and am even bigger soul.
"As lost as he was he still had an amazing presence and would do absolutely anything to be there for anyone in times of need.
"His favourite song is something inside so strong and since they found his body those four words have been stuck in my head."
Andrew didn't have contact with his children, however Kerry said they were always in his heart.
She added: "He loved his children and was such a good uncle to his nieces and nephews. He played a huge part in their lives and upbringings."
A fundraising page has now been set-up by Andrew's cousin James Gillespie to help cover his funeral costs.
Posting on the GoFundme page, James wrote: "My cousin Andrew Callan Ballantyne was missing for 16 days and has been found.
Sadly he has passed away.
"This has come very suddenly to us.
"We hoped he would have come back home safe.
"If anyone could help in any way at all to help pay towards his funeral our family would be so grateful."
To donate click here.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "I can confirm that around 11am on Monday, 19 October, 2020, officers from the Underwater Unit recovered the body of a man from water near Canderside Toll in Larkhall.
"Although formal identification has still to take place, the family of Andrew Ballantyne, who was reported missing from Stonehouse on 6 October, has been informed.
"A full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."
