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Tributes to Asda worker Charles Colley from Gillingham whose body was found after four-day search

By: Juliana Cruz Lima jcruzlima@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 25 February 2023

The partner of an Asda worker whose body was found following a four-day search has paid tribute to a "caring, charismatic and funny" man.

Police put out an urgent appeal for helping finding 60-year-old Charles 'Charlie' Colley, from Gillingham, on Monday after he went missing.

Charles Colley, 60, worked at Asda in Maidstone Road, Chatham. Picture: Ashleigh Kavanagh

He was last seen around the Blue Bell Hill end of Maidstone Road, Chatham at 2pm.

His disappearance prompted a four-day search, with family, friends and the police scouring Medway for him round-the-clock.

But on Thursday they received the update they were dreading, that the body of a 60-year-old man had been found.

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Following the tragic news his partner of seven years, Ashleigh Kavanah, paid tribute to Mr Colley, who had worked at Chatham Asda for 20 years.

The 28-year-old said: "My gorgeous baby, I could write a book about how much you mean to me.

Ashleigh Kavanagh, 28, met Charles in 2015. Picture: Ashleigh Kavanagh

"Every single memory we've shared over the past seven years will be ingrained in my head forever.

"I want you to know I will never ever forget you, my heart will forever be yours, just as I always told you it would.

"You only told me a few days ago that you'll love me forever, and I promise you, wherever you are, that I'll love you forever too.

"I wish with my whole heart that I had been right by your side when you needed me most. I'll always blame myself for that.

"If I was with you right at that precise moment in time, we wouldn't be in this situation now, I would've stayed by your side forever.

Charles Colley, 60, from Gillingham Picture: Ashleigh Kavanagh

"If I could've taken away your suffering and pain, I would've in a heartbeat."

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Mr Colley had worked at the Maidstone Road Asda in the grocery section and as a security guard.

It was there he met Ashleigh when she started working at the supermarket in 2015.

They had been in a relationship ever since, and she described him as "one of the most gentle, kind, caring, charismatic, patient, funny man anyone could meet".

Charles, who was a self-taught artist, did not have any children but Ashleigh said the pair were dreaming of a lifetime of adventures together.

She added: "Knowing you on an intimate and loving level opened my eyes to just how much of a beautiful soul you were, there's nothing you wouldn't have done for anyone, and you looked after me like I was a queen, and you were my king, babe.

Charles Colley worked at the Maidstone Road Asda, in Chatham Picture: Google Street View

"We had created a perfect little life for ourselves and I intended to spend many, many more years with you – we only talked last week about how many more great years we would have together.

"Who am I going to watch car camping videos with now?

"I'll have to keep watching them whilst imagining you there next to me.

"I hope you rest in eternal peace Chazmann, a better place than the world we live in now. Your Pip, always."

Earlier in the week Kent Police issued a statement thanking everyone for their efforts in trying to find Mr Colley.

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