Popular Dean McKenzie sparked a heartfelt appeal when he went missing on the morning of May 27.
Tragically, the 27-year-old's body was found in a woodland area in County Durham just over a week later.
Now - just weeks after losing her beloved son - grieving mum Gillian Stevenson has spoken of the family's devastation and ongoing struggle to come to terms with their sudden loss.
She said: "When he had not come home for two or three days, we knew that it wasn't like Dean to have done that. We knew something straight away was wrong.
“It's just destroyed the lot of us. It will never be the same again."
Dean was born on December 17, 1992, and was raised in Gateshead and attended Thomas Hepburn Academy until the family moved to Gilesgate in County Durham in 2004.
Rap music fan Dean worked as a painter and decorator, and doted on his black Labrador Tyson.
Gillian, 50, said: "He was happy go lucky, he like to drink and party with his friends.
"No-one had a bad word to say about him, he was never ever cheeky to anyone."
Alarm bells were ringing among Gillian, step-dad Brian, and sisters Shannon, 22, and Kelsie, nine, when Dean was reported missing.
The 27-year-old was not seen after leaving his girlfriend's home at 7am on May 27, and the family issued a desperate appeal for information.
Shannon described her brother's disappearance as "out of character", and Gillian admits the family began to fear the worst early on.
She said: "When he had not come home for two or three days, we knew that it wasn't like Dean to have done that.
"We knew something straight away was wrong."
Dean's body was found in woodland near the Sherburn Road area on the evening of June 5.
An emotional service was held at St Giles Church in Durham on June 26, and Gillian admits the family were taken aback by the turnout of loved ones on the day.
She said: “We were not expecting it at all. His friends were brilliant.
"We didn't know he knew as many people as he did.
"I don't think he realised how many people liked him."
Officers with Durham Constabulary do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding Dean's death, an an inquest is due to be held in October.
The family are currently receiving counselling in an attempt to come to terms with their shocking loss.
But less than a month on, Gillian believes the heartbreak of losing her only son has still not sunk in.
She finished: "I can't get it in my head it's actually happened. I don't really want it to get into my head.
"I still can't go into his bedroom."
