A YOUNG man has been found dead just days before he was due to fly home from a holiday in Ethiopia.

Liben Jarso, aged 21, from Halliwell, had travelled to the country to visit family and had only spoken to his brother, Guyo, a few days before his death.

"We are still in shock, my brother was telling me how much he was looking forward to coming home, how he had a good time and would be coming home on June 29," said Guyo, aged 22.

The circumstances of Liben's death are still unknown at this stage and the family are desperate for information.

His brother added: "I know everyone must go sometime, but the hardest thing is not knowing what has happened.”

He told how Liben had been looking forward to travelling to Ethiopia — the country of his birth.

"I had gone there the year before and he was so excited to be going. Liben was looking forward to seeing family, who he had not seen for a long time, " he said.

"So many people knew him — was known as MD to his friends. He made friends everywhere he went, people were just attracted to him.

"He played football at Bolton Lads and Girls Club and in Bobby Heywood Park. He was always smiling and laughing. He was always happy, he was passionate about life.

"He was charming and friendly and would help people including the local children."

Liben was a former pupil of Smithills School and Salford College where he studied construction and had aspirations to become a property developer. He was the second child of Loko, aged 42, and was one of five siblings. His father Sura had died when he was just a child.

Liben has been buried in Ethiopia in accordance with Muslim burial customs.

The family said they would have like to have seen Liben one more time.

Guyo said: “It was where he was born, and we will go back. The family wants people to remember him in their prayers.

“So many people have come to see us, so many people knew him and we just cannot believe it.”