Drugs overdose suspected as cause of death

THE mother of a Gwent man found dead of a suspected drugs overdose paid tribute to her "devoted and loving" son.

The body of Oliver Hillman, 30, was found in his flat in Cross Street, Abergavenny, on Saturday.

Police are awaiting the results of forensic tests but believe his death is drug- related.

Yesterday his mother Susan, said: "He was off drugs and was on a substitute and he was doing well and working.

"Drugs changed his personality completely. We did everything we could to help him get off them. He was such a devoted and loving son - always sending me text messages and little notes written on scraps of paper and card to say how much he loved us both. I'm going to keep his text messages and treasure them.

"He wrote a lovely message on his dad Terry's birthday card only a couple of weeks ago."

His parents run the His and Hers hairdressing salon in Abergavenny.

Oliver was a former pupil at Our Lady and St Michael Roman Catholic Primary School, where he served as an altar boy, and of King Henry School, where he excelled at sport.

Mrs Hillman said: "He was such a softie that we've got five dogs and five cats because he was always bringing home strays. He was completely devoted to his eight-year-old dog Charlie, who went everywhere with him.

"His sisters and brother are devastated because they were so close." Oliver's eldest sister Jane paid her own tribute. "Ollie lacked self-esteem. To boost his confidence I used to call him my Leonardo Di Caprio.

"His death was so unexpected and we are all numb. He used to go often to visit the grave of our baby sister Victoria."

Oliver also leaves a brother Alex, 32, and younger sisters Georgia, 23, and Clementine, 20.

The funeral will take place at 10.30am on Monday at Our Lady and St Michael Roman Catholic Church.

Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon, leading the investigation into Oliver's death said: " My thoughts are with his family, who I know have supported Ollie in every effort to cure him of his drug addiction. For this to happen is a tragedy.

" I know that they support me in attacking the evil people who supply drugs in this area."