THE sorrow shows in Belinda Cox’s face as she lays flowers at the scene where her partner was found dead in a freezing stream.

Four days ago the body of her long-time soulmate Tony Cox was discovered by a passer-by near the Asda supermarket in West Swindon.

Belinda, mother of boxer Jamie Cox, a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has described Mr Cox, a 45-year-old builder, as her “heart and soul”.

Yesterday she paid her poignant farewell to the man her sporting son called “dad”.

Boxer Jamie is too upset to speak about the incident, but his grandmother, Gillian Russan, has said the two were very close.

A number of floral tributes and messages have been left near the stream at West Swindon, and friends and family have been posting their sympathies on online social networks.

One person, who described himself as a family member, wrote on the Swindon Advertiser website: “A remarkable Dad whose actions could often be questioned but feelings, shown or not, never doubted. Cared indescribably about his family and his work and should be missed by many. Always in our hearts, you couldn’t meet a better man and only those who knew him personally would know the tasks he’d do to make the people he cared of the most happy. Never forgotten, a truly exceptional man and without a doubt, world’s best Dad. xx”

Yesterday a solitary white rose stood on the bank of the stream marking the spot where he died, while four bouquets of flowers and more than a dozen messages from family members were left nearby.

One read: “Uncle Anthony, taken too early, you will be sadly missed but never forgotten. All my love. Elly xxx.”

Another simply said: “Ant, Great brother and companion. Miss you. Love sis she. xxx”

“Uncle Anthony, you will be sorely missed,” one family member wrote. “Forever in our hearts. Love you lots. Sarah, Ben, Dave, Lauren, Taylor and Jude xxx.”

Mr Cox’s death is not being treated as suspicious, but police are keen to piece together his final movements and are awaiting the results of a toxicology report.

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: “We know that Mr Cox was in Corals bookmakers in West Swindon between 1.30pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, January 22.”

Anyone who saw Mr Cox or spoke to him at the end of last week is urged to contact Det Sgt Emma Spooner on 0845 408 7000.