Tragic death of stephen
Mother stunned by loss
A Lanarkshire mum spoke this week of her family’s anguish after her son was found dead in their house by his sister.
Dorothy White told of the “devastation” when Stephen White’s body was discovered on Monday morning.
She said she could not imagine life without Stephen (27), her “soul mate, best pal and drinking buddy”.
A distraught mum this week spoke of her family’s anguish after her son was found dead in their home.
The body of Dorothy White’s son Stephen, 27, was discovered in their Monks Lane home on Monday.
And this week she paid tribute to her “beautiful boy”.
Speaking exclusively to the Advertiser, a tearful Dorothy (55) said: “He was my son, love of my life, best pal, drinking buddy – and I really don’t know how I’ll be able to go on without him.
“His death has left a hole no one will ever be able to fill. My heart is broken.”
Stephen was a regular in Glasgow’s Waterloo Bar and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community have raised over £5000 to help with funeral costs.
Dorothy said: “He was such an outgoing personality, so full of life and loved by everyone.
“He was out with friends on Sunday in the Waterloo Bar in Glasgow.
“Stephen was up singing – his favourite was ‘My Way’.
“He was a big party boy. He loved getting dressed up and was always immaculate when he went out.
“We are all just absolutely shocked and devastated by what has happened.”
She said that Stephen had been making plans for the future.
Dorothy, a Tesco delivery driver, added: “He had booked a holiday to Blackpool for next weekend and had plans to go to London.
“I keep expecting him to walk through the door at any minute. I can’t believe that’s not going to happen anymore.”
Kirsty Mulligan has been left traumatised by her brother’s sudden death.
“It was me who found him and it has left me deeply scarred,” said mum-of-one Kirsty (31).
“It was horrendous and will never leave me. It was very unexpected.
“I spoke with him on Sunday and he was as happy as Larry but this has crushed me. It has left a void in my life.
“He was my soulmate. I used to call him Gok Wan as he was always trying to dress me with what he thought was a better look.
“He is irreplaceable and my daughter Jessica will never have another uncle as caring as he was.
“After it happened I just had to get away for a while so I took Jessica to Blackpool with me to try to clear my head.”
Stephen was popular and had a host of friends.
Christeen Macmurdie, who runs karaoke events at the Waterloo Bar, said: “Not many people can light up a room when they walk in but Stephen could certainly do that.
“He had a great presence and was a lover not a hater. He was a great peacekeeper. Stephen always saw the best side of everyone.”
George Stark, who has known Stephen since primary school, said: “He was very direct and spoke his mind but was universally loved.
“He seemed to strike a chord with everyone he met, young and old, and no one had a bad word to say about him.
“Nobody can understand what has happened.”
Stephen, from Braidwood, was a manager with Marks and Spencer in Glasgow’s West End.
He started his working life at Tesco in Lanark as a driver but quickly progressed and was made manager in Lesmahagow then Carluke and Wishaw. He was a former pupil of Braidwood Primary and Carluke High School.
A post mortem into Stephen’s death will be held next Tuesday.
A police spokesman said: “We attended a sudden death in Braidwood on Monday. There are no suspicious circumstances.”
The fundraising in Stephen’s memory is at www.gofundme.com/2cppwfg.