TRIBUTES were paid last night to a man whose scorched and horribly injured body was found abandoned in a secluded industrial estate in a possible gay-hate murder.

Stuart Walker, 28, of Cumnock, Ayrshire, was found dead on Saturday morning by a member of the public.

Police have launched a murder investigation and have refused to rule out the possibility that the attack was motivated by homophobia. They are investigating the events leading up to Mr Walker's death.

Although full details of the crime have not yet been released, it appears Mr Walker was tied to a lamp-post on the outskirts of Caponacre Industrial Estate, beaten and set alight.

Police officers have so far refused to confirm whether they believe the violence was the result of a mob attack or an assault by one person.

Yesterday, more than 20 family members visited the scene of the crime – a desolate patch of grass next to anonymous industrial buildings – although his parents stayed in the family home, too upset to leave.

There are no houses overlooking the crime scene, but there were a number of parties going on in the nearby Netherthird housing estate. Officers want to hear from anyone who attended these parties.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Walker's cousin John Mullen, 19, said: "He was the best guy ever. Everybody knew Stuart and he was very popular. Nobody said a bad word against him and he was everybody's pal. He was the life and soul of the party and he loved life.

"This has ripped the family apart and just doesn't make sense. We want anyone with any information to get in touch with the police or the family."

In a statement released later on Facebook, Mr Mullen praised the reaction of the Cumnock community and added: "On behalf of all the family I'd like to say thank you to everybody for the overwhelming support we've all had. Still in shock for what's happened. Stuart did not deserve this and his legacy will live on."

Last night, mourners were invited to light a lantern in the park opposite his parents' house. Mr Walker was close to his family and had planned to attend his grandmother Margaret's 80th birthday celebrations yesterday.

But the last they saw of him was on Friday night, when he left for a party. Police do not yet know how he ended up in the industrial estate.

One of his friends, who did not want to reveal her name, said: "He was gay. That's why this was done to him. There can't be any other reason because he didn't have a fight in him."

Emma Murphy, a close friend, cautioned against prematurely labelling the murder as a homophobic killing and said: "It is awful. He was such a lovely guy who would harm no-one. I'm not sure what the motive was, because Stuart was known by everyone. No-one knows whether it was related to homophobia –only Stuart knew that."

At the family home in Cumnock, his parents welcomed a steady stream of visitors. The crime has stunned the local community. Mr Walker attended Cumnock Academy and once worked in the Royal Hotel, where he met many of the friends he still socialised with.

Dozens of bouquets were left by a lamp-post near where his body was found.

One card, which was signed by a number of friends, read: "Goodnight gorgeous. You will be sadly missed. You are always in our hearts."

Another, from his grandmother and grandfather, said: "Miss and love you always, our dear grandson. Sleep tight."

Police confirmed that Mr Walker's body was found on the roadside at Caponacre Industrial Estate, Glaisnock Road, Cumnock, just before 5am on Saturday.

Detective Inspector John Hogg, of Ayr CID, said: "Stuart had been out with friends in the Cumnock area earlier during the night and was last seen alive by a family friend near to the fire station in Glaisnock Street at around 2.30am on Saturday –nearly two and a half hours before he was found.

"It is imperative that we find out where he was between 2.30am and 4.50am, who he was with and why this happened.

"We understand that there may have been a number of house parties in the nearby Netherthird housing estate in the early hours.

"We do not know if these parties are linked to our investigation or not, so any information on that is important."