A DARWEN family is ‘distraught’ after the mystery death of a ‘fit and healthy’ 13-year-old boy in Turkey.

Ross Kilpatrick moved with mum Lila and dad Derick, a former landlord of the Brookside pub, to the south Aegean resort of Altinkum, in Turkey, three years ago from the family home in Carr Road.

According to Ross’s brother Adam, 19, of Sough Road, the youngster was discovered on Thursday morning after Derick went to wake him up for school.

His family, who described Ross as a ‘popular, caring, and bubbly’ young man, said they had been left ‘distraught’ and ‘devastated’ by his death.

The former Ashleigh Primary School pupil had fallen asleep in bed watching a Rangers football match when his dad, who is originally from Scotland, went to check on him and turn off the television.

He was found the next morning on the floor next to his bed. He was not breathing.

Adam, a customer services adviser of Sough Road, Darwen, said he had spoken to Ross earlier in the week and he had sounded fine.

He said: “I’m still quite confused. I spoke to him on Tuesday and we were talking about what we wanted for Christmas.

“He was very talkative, bubbly, full of energy. He was very caring.

“The family is distraught, it’s a shock.”

A post mortem examination has been carried out in Turkey but the family have been told it could be between three and 12 months before they get the results.

The family are seeking help in raising the money needed to bring his body back to Darwen.

Derick and Lila will be flying home on Friday to arrange the funeral.

Adam said: “He was a lovely lad, he was so loving. He was really, really nice and is going to be missed.

“When my parents owned the Brookside pub in Darwen he would ride his bike up and down there.

“When he lived in Darwen he was one of the most popular kids about.”

“He was also very well known in the holiday resort of Altinkum. He and another young English children would ride their bikes along the beach, walk their dogs, make new friends, swim and whatever else they could do, but he would always make conversation, no matter of your age or anything.”

Ross died a day before the second anniversary of the death of his grandmother Margaret Towers.

He was supposed to captain the Altinkum softball team at the start of the new season yesterday but his dad took his place.

Supporters applauded for two minutes instead of the customary silence.

Children at Ross’s school in Turkey have laid a flower on his desk and his former teachers at Ashleigh Primary School have also contacted the family.

Tributes have also been pouring in on Adam’s Facebook site.

Family friend Denise Worton, 51, of Sough Road, Darwen, said: “He was a lovely lad. He was so loving and is going to be missed.

"I couldn’t believe that it happened. It’s a massive shock. ”