A homeless man’s family were told he had been stabbed to death, only to be reunited with their loved one after being spotted by a charity worker.
Jason Otter, who has been sleeping rough for more than 10 years, went ‘off the rails’ when his mother died three years ago, and drifted from his family.
His brother, Stewart Thompson, who has been caring for Jason’s 12-year-old son Alex while he was away, said that they had been told Jason was dead after a stabbing in Sheffield.
Reunited: Jason Otter was reunited with his brother Stewart Thompson after separating from his family when his mother died three years ago
His family were told that Jason had been stabbed in Sheffield, but launched a campaign to track him down after being informed that he had been spotted in Liverpool
But they had also heard he had been spotted in Liverpool – so they launched a campaign to track down the 35-year-old in the Liverpool Echo.
The rough sleeper, who became addicted to heroin while living on the streets, was found by a woman named Cazzie on behalf of the charity Hearts4Homeless.
In an heartwarming reunion, Stewart, 45, and Alex made the trip from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, to Liverpool to see the man they had been told was dead.
The rough sleeper, who became addicted to heroin while living on the streets, was found by a woman named Cazzie on behalf of the charity Hearts4Homeless
Delighted: The family said Jason was ‘back safe and sound bathed clothed fed watered and warm a complete different lad’
After a campaign to find Jason, the family had a phone call saying the long-lost man had been found in Liverpool
Stewart told the Liverpool Echo: ‘Alex thought his dad was dead, so it is just such a massive weight off his shoulders.
‘He is so happy. The last time we all saw Jason was at my mum’s funeral and that was three years ago – and he went off the rails after that.
‘Seeing him for the first time after all this time was absolutely amazing.’
Jason is now going to be living with his brother and family in Rotherham, and has been transformed after having a haircut.
‘There’s a long road a head but we are sure with the correct support and help we will get him there’: In a Facebook post, Stewart and his wife Kim (pictured) said that Jason was doing well
The Jason’s brother and his wife posted that they had seen on social media that the 35-year-old had been found dead in Sheffield – but they still believed he was alive
His proud brother said he is doing well, and is currently undergoing a detox for his drug addiction – and they plan for him to have therapy as well.
In a Facebook post, the family said: ‘He’s back safe and sound bathed clothed fed watered and warm a complete different lad.
‘There’s a long road a head but we are sure with the correct support and help we will get him there’.