FAMILY and friends of a missing teenager whose body was found in the Thames are paying tribute to him one year after his disappearance.
Josh Beasley, of Effingham Road, Lee, went missing after going out drinking with his friends in Greenwich on Christmas Eve last year.
The 17-year-old’s body was found one month later washed ashore on the banks of the river Thames on January 21.
Despite appeals for more witnesses, an inquest in to Josh’s death in September returned an open verdict and the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery.
Josh’s father Paul Beasley says it has been tough since his son’s disappearance.
The 49-year-old said: “It’s been a very strange and solemn year and we have been doing as best we can.
“There’s no closure for us and it’s something we have had to come to terms with. We are still appealing for witnesses and the police investigation is still open.
“It’s hard to imagine what more can be done. We have realistic hopes but we are not holding our breath.
“The anniversary of his disappearance gives us the opportunity to prompt people’s memories.”
On the night of his disappearance, Josh was seen drinking lager and vodka at a Wetherspoon's pub, in Greenwich, before leaving suddenly without saying anything.
He was later spotted trying to get on the Old Royal Naval College ice rink in Greenwich, and drunkenly falling over.
Witnesses say they last saw Josh that night by the Hoy Inn, in Creek Road, at 5.50pm, after which the trail goes cold.
A one hour candlelit vigil near and around the time he was last seen will be held on Christmas Eve at Greenwich’s Cutty Sark Gardens, from 6pm.
Mr Beasley said: “The vigil will be commemorative, marking his disappearance and death.
“Joshua was a high flyer and a person who lived life and excelled in all areas.
“He was quite an exceptional personality. He had just completed his first term at school studying for his A Levels and was predicted straight A grades.
“Christmas Eve will be very special and our Christmas from now on will be seen through this experience. We want to remember our son as he deserves to be remembered.”
Since Joshua’s death the community has raised thousands of pounds for the Missing People charity and the National Youth Theatre, of which Josh was a member.
Friends of Joshua will be collecting money for Missing People in Greenwich on Christmas Eve.
Thomas Tallis School, where Josh was a student, and his family have established an annual award, called The Josh Beasley Award for Creativity, which celebrates and supports young people’s creativity.
Anyone with information on Josh's disappearance should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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