by Alan Quick

THE funeral service to remember Crediton man Martin Wood, who died while on holiday in Thailand, will be held at Crediton Parish Church on Tuesday, February 27.

It was confirmed late on Thursday, January 18, that the body found in woodland near where he went missing off Cha-am beach in Thailand on December 30 was that of Mr Wood.

Martin (48) was last seen leaving the Dream Boutique Hotel, Petcharburi, 76120 Cha-am, at 5.38pm in the evening of December 30, according to the hotel CCTV.

He had not been heard from since that time and did not catch his flight home, which was due to return on Friday, January 12.

On January 18 the Lucie Blackman Trust, which supports British victims overseas and assists in missing person cases, issued a statement which read: "We are saddened to confirm that Martin Wood was found deceased in Thailand earlier this week.

"Thank you for the huge support his appeal received.

"Our thoughts and support are with Martin’s family at this difficult time."

Previously Thai sources said police were waiting for an autopsy to confirm whether the body was Martin.

Martin had been a frequent visitor at the hotel for four years and had apparently booked a month-long stay with his family and disappeared three weeks into his visit.

The Lucie Blackman Trust issued an appeal on its website and on social media a few days after Martin went missing.

Martin was the dear husband of Jenny, loving father of Bryony and Isaac, son of Colin and Carole and brother of Stephen and Tracey.

The family said he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The funeral service will be held at Crediton Parish Church and will begin at 1pm.

There is a request for family flowers only, but donations, if desired, to Help for Heroes by retiring collection or send to: 

LeRoy Funerals, 94/95 High Street , Crediton EX17 3LB.