Family’s heartbreak as body of author found in cliff-side search

A science fiction author found dead a day after he went missing has been described as a “gentle, loving and wonderful” son by his family.

An appeal was launched to help find Robert Storey, who lived in a flat in Canterbury, after he disappeared on Thursday morning.

Just 24 hours later, the 42-yearold’s body was found at the side of a cliff in the Folkestone Warren near Capel.

His father Terry, 71, said: “He was our best friend. He was a wonderful son - it’s heartbreaking.”

According to his Amazon biography, Robert “dreamed about becoming a fiction writer” as a young boy.

His journey into writing was an escape “in his darkest hours” after he was left with a debilitating condition called dystonia - a neurological movement disorder syndrome - brought on by minor car accidents some years earlier.

His father said his condition caused him great distress.

“It came on over a period,” he said. “He had terrible pains in his neck. He researched many things to make it better.”

As a result, he struggled with his mental health problems.

“That last day he couldn’t cope any more,” Mr Storey said. “We did everything we possibly could to help him, but we couldn’t in the end.”

Officers remained at the scene on Friday, where Robert’s body, along with a car, was found.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

The Liverpool FC supporter had previously gone missing on Boxing Day last year but was found the following day.

His father said: “He was a very gentle and kind person.

“We could all talk about anything. He loved playing with our grandchildren. He would help anyone.

“He was multi-talented - he did beautiful sculptures. His artistic ability was amazing.”

Roberty published six books, his first titled 2040, which he wrote in 2013 to launch his science fiction series Ancient Origins.

His father added: “He said when he was writing, ‘I think my bad back is the best thing that’s ever happened to me’. He changed his life. Some readers said that the books helped them too. That was worth more than money to Robert.”

Robert did not return to his flat in Canterbury following his disappearance at Christmas and remained with his parents in Hawkinge, where he was cared for and visited by crisis teams after he had self-harmed.

His dad said the care the fam- Thursday, March 7, 2019 Kentish Gazette (KG)

‘He was our best friend. He was a wonderful son - it’s heartbreaking’

Thursday, March 7, 2019 Kentish Gazette (KG) www.kentonline.co.uk

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