The community of Tonypandy is heartbroken as the search for Stephen Faulkner, a vibrant soul who embraced life fully, ends in tragedy. The 66-year-old went missing last weekend, prompting a large scale search involving police, specialist divers, drones, and even helicopters. The outpouring of support was enormous, with friends, family, and locals banding together in the search efforts.
Sadly, a body was discovered on Thursday, leaving the family “devastated”. While formal identification has not been confirmed, Stephen’s family has been informed of the discovery.
In a heartfelt social media post, Stephen’s son, Dai, expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from everyone involved in the search. He extended heartfelt thanks to those who joined in person, shared supportive posts, and especially his close friends who went above and beyond – including the friend who found his father.
Dai also praised the police for their respectful handling of the situation. Reflecting on his father’s resilient spirit, having beaten cancer three times, he remembered him as “as tough as they come.”
Stephen was a lover of life’s joys, from his passion for animals and wildlife – especially horses and dogs – to his love for live music, with AC/DC being a definitive favourite. Known for his love of a good party, he left a lasting impression on those who knew him well.
Dai ended his tribute with poignant words: “Love you dad and will miss you forever. Shine on you crazy diamond.”
Our hearts go out to Stephen’s family and all those affected by this tragic loss.