A YOUNG man found dead outside his home on New Year's Eve had recently started seeing a new girlfriend.

As police search for his missing phone in an effort to piece together Kyle Hudson's last movements, his devastated half sister has paid tribute to the brother she says was always there for her.

The body of Kyle, 28, was discovered in Darby Way, Bishops Lydeard, where he lived with his grandparents, at around 10.20am on the final day of 2017.

Somerset County Gazette:

Post mortem tests have been carried out and police say they are not treating his death as suspicious "at this time".

But Detective Inspector Angel Burtonwood said inquiries are ongoing to establish what happened and detectives want to speak to anyone who saw Kyle in the hours before his body was found.

She added: "Kyle’s family are being fully supported and kept updated on the progress of our inquiry. Our thoughts continue to be with them during this difficult time.

"We’re releasing a photograph of Kyle in the hope that someone recognises him and remembers seeing him early on December 31.

"Were you in Bishop's Lydeard that morning? Did you see or speak to Kyle?

"Kyle’s phone is also missing and is something we’d like to trace.

"If you found a black iPhone 7 in the vicinity of Darby Way, or remember seeing one discarded, please get in touch."

Anyone with information should call 101, giving the reference 5217296368.

Meanwhile, Kyle's half sister, Emily Henighan, 22, has told how she tracked him down on Facebook four years ago.

"I knew he existed, but I'd never met him, so I searched for him and sent him a message on Facebook," said Emily.

Somerset County Gazette:

"He got back to me and we got to know each other.

"I saw him all the time. He came to visit me and texted every day.

"He was a really nice person who would do anything for anybody. He was always calm and helpful and was always there for me.

"It's really hard to cope with. I found out on Instagram, which isn't great.

"The last time I saw him was before Christmas, when we had a coffee and a catch up. He was happy because he was seeing a new girlfriend from Bristol.

"He was looking to buy a new car. All he cared about was cars. He was always fixing them for people.

Emily added that Kyle, who was educated at Kingsmead Community School, Wiveliscombe, had recently started a new job in a motor business in Taunton.

He had previously worked as a van driver for West Somerset Feeds, based at Broadgauge Business Park, in Bishops Lydeard.

Peter Jay, the firm's owner, said: "He was always very helpful, pleasant and charming. He did everything I asked of him."