POLICE are investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy found hanged at his North- East home yesterday.

Declan Hewitt’s body was discovered early in the morning at his home in Arthur Street, Chilton, County Durham.

Detectives have stressed they are not treating his death as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner’s investigation.

Declan is one of four children.

He has a 16-year-old brother and two younger sisters, aged nine and six.

His parents are Angee, a barmaid, and David, who works for Balfour Beatty Construction.

All are said to be devastated and mystified by what has happened to the popular schoolboy.

Declan’s friends from Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College have posted online tributes to him.

The family, who are now staying with relatives, are aware that Declan’s death will generate widespread interest.

They issued a statement to the media yesterday and then asked that they be left in peace to grieve their loss.

His grandfather, Benjamin Hewitt, spoke on behalf of the family yesterday to pay tribute to Declan.

Mr Hewitt said: “No one can understand what has happened or why. Declan was a lovely young lad, always ready with a smile who had no worries or problems and lots of friends.

“All day, friends, relatives and his school pals have been calling with tributes.

“They, too, are absolutely devastated by what has happened.

It has hit everyone who knew him very hard.

“It’s just a mystery. If we knew it was an accident, we could understand it and cope with it, but at the minute we just cannot believe what has happened.”