Family demand answers over skip death of Burnley dad (32)

Jason Marren (32) also known by the surname Hosker, was missing for days before his body was found by workers at Whinney Hill waste disposal site in Accrington on Monday.

Detectives are still probing the unexplained death of the former St Theodore’s RC and Ivy Bank High School pupil and further tests are being carried out to find the cause after a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.

Police are investigating the possibility Mr Marren was scavenging for items to sell in a container at Burnley’s Widow Hill Road waste site before it was transported to Accrington – but they are keeping an open mind.

However, Mr Marren’s mum Veronica, stepdad Brian Whittaker and father Alan Hosker fear the death may be suspicious.

Mr Hosker said: “There are so many questions we want answering. There is something not right about it.

“The police indicated there were two friends with him and they just left him. Why did they leave him? Why was he there? Police said they are still investigating. I hope there are no suspicious circumstances. If it was accidental then it is accidental, but if it is not then I want justice for Jason.”

Mrs Marren added: “We just want the truth of what has happened. We won’t let this go. It is too much to bear.”

Tributes to the “gentle giant” have been paid by loved ones who have been left devastated by his death.

A statement by the family read: “Jason was a lovely good natured person who had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. He led his own life where he would do his own thing and just got on with it. He will be sadly missed and will leave a massive hole in the people’s hearts that loved and cared for him dearly.”

Jade Shapcott (20), his partner of five years, described Mr Marren as her “soulmate” and said they planned to wed later this year on his birthday.

But the mother-of-one, who has a daughter Amber (2) with him, said she has been left heartbroken by his death.

She said: “He was the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved him. We have been through some rough patches but we always stuck together. He made the best of every situation and brought out the best in me.

“He would always make everyone laugh. He always had something funny to say and had a great sense of humour. He lit up every room he went in.”

Ms Shapcott said her partner had been a promising boxer, following in the footsteps of his grandad, legendary inter-war Burnley fighter Tommy Marren. But his career was cut short in his mid-20s after he suffered a head injury in a street attack.

His mum Veronica described him as a generous son and a loving and caring father.

“He was such a great lad. He was so kind and generous. He was a loving son and a loving father to his children. He was always smiling. He was happy all the time.

“I just can’t believe it. It is like a bad dream. It is horrible.”

Stepdad Brian said: “He loved being a dad. He really loved his children and they loved him. Everyone is devastated.”

His dad Mr Hosker, a business owner in Padiham, said: “Jason was such a nice lad. He would do anything for anyone. He really did have a heart of gold.

“I am just absolutely stunned at his death. It is such a shock. He was only 32. He is going to be sadly missed.”

He leaves children Joshua (12) Jade (11) Brandan (10) Leighton (9) and Amber (2) and also his sister Bernadette and brother Philip.

Det. Supt. Neil Esseen, of the Force Major Investigation Team, confirmed the investigation was on-going, saying: “Although we are keeping an open mind, our focus at the moment is about what Mr Marren was doing at the waste disposal site and the possibility he could have been looking for items to sell.

“This is an extremely difficult time for the family and we have specially trained officers supporting them. A team of detectives is working on this case as we look to establish exactly what happened to Mr Marren.”

Anyone with information can call 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.