Troy Hearnden: Tributes flow for Warwick man, 31, killed in floods tragedy

‘The worst thing is not having him around to watch his kids grow up’: Family and friends of the beloved Warwick father are mourning his death, which brought eight days of desperate searching to a devastating end.

Tributes have flowed from the Warwick community in mourning the loss of a beloved father and friend whose body was pulled from floodwaters this week.

Troy Hearnden was found in his blue Volkswagen Polo submerged in floodwaters from the Condamine River near Victoria St, with police divers recovering his body and vehicle on Monday afternoon.

The 31-year-old had been missing for eight days and police had joined friends and family in their urgent search for the Warwick man.

Tributes have flowed for Warwick man Troy Hearnden, 31, whose body was pulled from floodwaters on Monday afternoon. He is pictured here with partner Arlett Harvey and their daughter Amelia. Picture: contributed

Troy’s former partner and mother of his children Arlett Harvey said her family grew concerned when they did not hear from him after he left her brother’s home after dinner on Sunday night, and then did not attend or call in sick for work at John Dee the next day.

“When he didn’t call in or anything, everyone got a bit worried and went in to see their supervisor, and she said it was definitely unusual for him,” she said.

“I rang around his family (in New South Wales) thinking maybe he went down there, but when no one had heard from or seen him either, that’s when I had the missing persons report put out.”

With the desperate search for the Warwick man ending in tragedy and heartache for his devastated family, Ms Harvey is now facing raising their two-year-old daughter Amelia and unborn son without their father.

She said the pair had met in New South Wales and moved to Warwick together two and a half years ago to be closer to her family, and had previously split up, but were trying to put their family back together before his death.

“That’s probably the worst thing, is not having him around to watch his kids grow up,” Ms Harvey said.

“His daughter got to know him and if she sees a photo of him, she knows it’s Daddy, whereas his son is never going to know who his dad was.

“My favourite thing was seeing how good he was with Amelia. He would take her to the park or take her to lunch, he was a big part of her life.

“I’ve got one photo – the last-ever photo taken of them together – that I’m going to have blown up and put it in her bedroom for her.”

Both Ms Harvey and Troy’s cousin Caitlin Hearnden remembered the man they had lost for his love of outdoor activities such as bushwalking and scuba diving, playing music, and his children.

“Troy was an amazing cousin with a big heart, and was the kind of person who would help you even if he was struggling,” she said.

“Troy absolutely loved his children and I am sure he would be watching over them.

“He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.”

Tributes have poured from the wider Warwick community in the days since news broke of Troy’s death, with dozens of residents taking to social media to share their sadness and support for the loved ones left behind.

“Condolences to the family and friends for (their) loss. Heartbreaking,” Muz Laufer wrote.

“Rest in peace Troy, (a) very kind young man,” Rachel Smith added.

Troy was the 13th person to die in recent weeks throughout the statewide flood emergency.

His funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.