The grieving 45-year-old father of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne died alone in his armchair after being driven to drink and despair by the death of his daughter. Michael Payne struggled with alcoholism after the abduction of his eight-year-old daughter in July 2000, and was found dead at home in Maidstone, Kent, by police on Monday. His brother Alan, 47, believes 'he was in a downward spiral since it all happened with Sarah' and their father Terrance, 72, says his son was tortured by 'the fact he wasn't there to protect her'. Kent Police  broke down the door of his flat because his family had been unable to contact him and MailOnline understands his body had been there for several days.
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Michael Payne, 45, was found dead by police at his home in Maidstone, Kent
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His daughter Sarah was abducted and killed by paedophile Roy Whiting
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The former airport worker had turned to drink in the aftermath of his loss
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Brother Alan said: 'Mike was in a downward spiral since it all happened'
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Dad Terrance said son was tortured because 'he wasn't there to protect her'
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His daughter Charlotte Payne wrote: 'I'm sorry I couldn't save you dad'
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Sarah's death eventually led to the introduction of 'Sarah's Law' in 2011
We all knew @placeholder had demons but it's sad it has come to this.