The best friend of a teenager found "horrifically" murdered in woodland has paid a heartbreaking tribute to him.
This afternoon police confirmed that a body found in Parbold, in West Lancashire, is that of missing 18-year-old Alex Davies.
Leon Kamel, his best pal, movingly wrote on Facebook: "Forever in our hearts.
"Rest easy my friend."
Alex worked for Home Bargains in Skelmersdale and had recently been promoted to the role of lead sales assistant.
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He had proudly changed his profile details on Facebook to mark the news.
Alex went missing on Monday after leaving the home he shared with his mum after which he got a taxi to Parbold train station.
Following the news of his death tributes have poured in for the teen including from friend Amanda Jane who wrote: "RIP Alex, you were one in a million, will miss your smiley face young man...I can't believe it."
Julie Ellison also added "Devastating news.
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"His poor family, so sad and a shocking waste of a young life."
Angela Carr said: "Aww, omg[oh my god] he used to always speak to me in Home Bargain.
"It's so sad."
Simon Driscoll said: "Stunned and saddened to hear about Alex Davies, an amazing lad to work with when I was at the BHF.
"Always willing to help anyone and turn a negative into a positive, such a young age to go.
"RIP Alex."
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The shop worker was also described by friends as "looking forward to the future" and was an employee who "loved dealing with customers."
Detectives launched a murder probe yesterday after the body was found on Wednesday afternoon off Parbold Hill.
Officers have urged people with information to come forward and appealed to the public to speak out if somebody they knew had recently come back home with "blood on their clothes."
Police also suggested the killer might have sustained injuries, indicating that Alex, who lived in Skelmersdale, might could have put up a struggle before he was murdered.
Gerard Boylan, Alex's boss, told the ECHO on Thursday evening: "He's an energetic, kind and helpful lad, who loved working with customers.
"He's not a shy bloke, and was the type of person who would talk to anyone.
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"He's a brilliant lad."
He added: "Alex had his whole future ahead of him, and he loves his job and had recently got himself a promotion."
A post mortem examination has been carried out and the cause of death has been established.
Those details, for now, remain under wraps for "operational reasons," police said.
Cops cordoned off two areas of field- one leading up towards Wrightington and a further field towards High Moore Lane.
A shocked passerby told the ECHO: “Nothing ever happens here, I’m shocked to see so many police cars here.”
Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Hurst, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This is a truly shocking murder of a young man and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this desperately sad time.
"Alex was a much loved son and brother and his family are obviously distraught by what has happened."
“I have a dedicated team of officers and staff working on this enquiry and we are doing all we can to find whoever it is who has committed this horrific act.
“We are keeping an open mind for the reason Alex was in the Parbold area but it could be that he has arranged to meet someone."
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log reference 1153 of May 1st or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
