Probe continues into death of popular Wigan teen

The body of 18-year-old Samson Price was discovered at Westwood Flash on Sunday, October 4, after his loved ones shared an appeal on social media for help to find him.

Concerns had been raised for the welfare of the keen rugby player and music fan after he failed to return home from a fishing trip the day before.

Police launched a murder investigation to find out what had happened to him, with a post-mortem examination revealing he died by drowning.

Officers at the time were said to be keeping “an open mind” about the circumstances and appealed for information to help the inquiry.

Two men, aged 18 and 19, and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of murder. The men were released on bail shortly afterwards and the boy was released under investigation.

Nearly three months later, no-one has yet been charged in relation to Samson’s death and police say the investigation is continuing.

A huge tribute has been created on a bridge on new road Westwood Way, close to Westwood Flash, in memory of the teenager.

Samson, who lived in Goose Green, attended St Matthew’s Primary School and Hawkley Hall High School, and had started a plumbing course at Wigan and Leigh College just weeks before he died.

He played for Orrell St James’s ARLFC between the ages of 12 and 16, won the Lancashire Cup with Wigan RUFC and had started playing in the open-age team at Wigan St Jude’s ARLFC.

He loved live music, spending time with his friends and family, and was proud to be from Wigan.

After his death, his heartbroken mum Rosanna Price said: “He was care-free, he had a really happy-go-lucky way. Everything he seemed to touch went his way. He made friends very easily and he never had a problem. I know people say it, but he was our golden boy.

“He hated seeing anyone upset, he hated people being upset around him. He was always so full of life.”

Hawkley Hall High School headteacher Matt Klinck described Samson as “an extremely bright student”, while Susan Hodson, who taught him at St Matthew’s Primary School, recalled him discussing the Greek economic crisis at the age of 10 and said it was “a privilege to know him”.

Anyone with information can about Samson’s death is asked to call police on 0161 856 9908, quoting incident 1457 of October 4, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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