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Family 'broken' by five-year-old's sudden death

Family handout Lincoln Button is sitting in a car. He is squinting into the sun as he poses for the camera. He has cropped brown hair and is wearing a white T-shirt.Family handout
Lincoln Button's family hope to honour his memory with any excess money from a fundraiser that was set up to cover funeral costs

The death of a five-year-old boy has left his loved ones feeling "broken", a member of the family has said.

Lincoln Button died at an address in Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, Essex, on 15 December.

His mother Claire Button, 35, of Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, has been charged with his murder.

Jamie Warren said "life will be forever different now" for his cousin Nicky, who is Lincoln's father.

Mr Warren said Lincoln was autistic and non-verbal, and was "a bit cheeky".

"He was an all-round happy kid, who loved his toys," said the 32-year-old, speaking to the BBC.

"He really liked rainbows, Yorkshire puddings, trains and buses.

Mr Warren said Lincoln would be deeply missed and said his cousin's life had "completely changed".

"Especially 10 days before Christmas - it's a horrible situation."

Essex Police Lincoln Button is smiling at the camera, he has blue eyes, short brown hair and is wearing a dark green jumper over a dark green polo shirt. Essex Police
Family member Jamie Warren described Lincoln as always happy and "a bit cheeky"

Mr Warren said his family was "really close" and had rallied together to be there for each other in the aftermath.

"It's sad for me but seeing Nicky and Lincoln's grandma, seeing how broken they are as a family, is awful," he said.

"Seeing them, and how quiet and broken they are, it's so horrible, you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy."

He continued: "It's all you're thinking about really. Especially as he had his whole life ahead of him."

Family handout Lincoln Button is standing on sand. A man stands behind him and the pair are holding hands over his shoulders. Lincoln is wearing a grey sweater and the man is in a blue and black sweatshirt.Family handout
Mr Warren said the community spirit shown to help the family showed "good humanity" during dark times

The community spirit shown after an online fundraiser was set up by Mr Warren to help with funeral costs had been "overwhelming", he said.

It surpassed a £5,000 goal within 48 hours and the family has been thinking of ways to honour Lincoln's memory with any funds that are left over following the funeral.

"I want to make sure whatever we do next is a fitting tribute for Lincoln.

"Such a sad situation has brought some good in the sense of the community coming together and helping out.

"People have resonated with what's going on and giving donations is beyond belief."

He added: "It goes to show there's good humanity in such a horrible world we are living in."

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