THE family of a father who was found dead in woodland have paid tribute to a ‘loving, caring family man’.

A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched to find Martin John Culling, 44, of Crossways, after he was reported missing.

His body was found in dense woodland, near quarries in Crossways, following the efforts of 25 search volunteers and Dorset Police.

It is believed that father-of-two Mr Culling took his own life following a long-term battle with depression.

His wife Dawn Culling praised the emergency services for their hard work in scouring the countryside last weekend to ‘bring him back to us’.

She said: “Martin was a loving, caring family man.

“He liked to go walking with his King Charles spaniel dogs and he did karate with the Wessex Karate Academy in Dorchester.”

She added: “We would like to thank the emergency services for all their hard work.”

Mr Culling’s parents Sue and John Culling described the police officers and volunteers as ‘magnificent’ and said they ‘could not have been more caring’ during the search for their only son.

Sue Culling, 65, of Crossways, said: “Martin did a supreme sacrifice in a sense, to make life easier for all of us.

“In the letter he left he said: ‘Trust me it’s for the best this way, you can all move on with your lives without me being the black cloud and forever being a worry to you’.

“It’s quite a sacrifice for someone to make.

“We would like it known that we are so proud of him.

“We miss him and love him more than words can say.”

She added: “We will always be grateful and thankful to the police force in both Dorchester and Winfrith because without them we wouldn’t have been able to find him.”

Mr Culling was reported missing last Saturday.

Police officers and the force helicopter joined the family’s search effort after Mr Culling’s car was found on a country road near Crossways.

A large-scale search with volunteers from Dorset Search and Rescue (DorSAR), Dorset Search Dogs and Lowland Search Dogs continued the following day.

Mercia Search and Rescue team from Wales, who were visiting the area, assisted by using specialist equipment to search the quarries’ water-filled areas.

Mr Culling was found by the Lowland Search Dogs team and recovered by DorSAR and the police helicopter.

His father John, 68, added: “We didn’t realise the search team was made up of volunteers and we want to thank them – what a gift to give the community.

“Thank God there are people like that about.

“We never thought we’d have to make use of their services and we’d hate to think that anybody else will, but life being how life is, it will happen again and these guys will be there.”

Bob Knott, president of DorSAR, said: “We were on site from 9am on Sunday and we returned to base around 2pm.

“It was the Lowland Search Dogs team which found him. DorSAR personnel recovered the body and then met the police helicopter.

“It was a shame there wasn’t a happy ending for the family but at least it’s closure, if nothing else.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said an inquest had been opened into Mr Culling’s death and there were no suspicious circumstances.