Fabian Hall, who died in a road accident in the early hours of Saturday morning, was a young man with “amazing potential”, his heartbroken family said yesterday.
The former Forres Academy pupil, aged just 19, was struck by a car on the A96 Elgin to Inverness road.
Mr Hall is believed to have been walking his dog when he was involved in an accident with a Volkswagon Tiguan, driving west through Brodie at around 3.30am.
His death has shocked the community and left his family and many good friends devastated.
They issued a statement through the police, in which they said: “Fabian was a much loved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and the greatest friend anyone could ever have.
“We are deeply saddened by his death and he will be greatly missed.”
His parents also took to social media to express their anguish, with mum Maria Hall posting a photo of her son among friends, who she said had been so important to him.
She wrote: “My beloved son Fabian at his happiest right in the middle of his four best ever friends.
“He was hit by a car and killed in the early hours this morning.
“I am in shock but the police want to retrace his steps and I know he was with his friends in Forres.
“Please, please let all his friends know… you meant so much to him. I cannot bear it.”
His father, Jon, meanwhile wrote: “My beautiful son Fabian, loved by us all, with so much amazing potential, never to be fulfilled.”
Emergency services made their way to the A96 on Saturday morning, but Mr Hall’s life could not be saved and he was pronounced dead at the scene, near to the Old Mill Inn at Brodie.
Police said the 28-year-old female driver of the car was uninjured.
The road was closed in both directions for many hours as accident investigations took place.
Officers have appealed to anyone who may have seen the Volkswagen Tiguan or Mr Hall prior to the accident.
Sergeant Craig McNeill said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Fabian at this difficult time.
“Our investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this tragic incident and we would appeal to anyone who may have seen this crash to speak to officers.”
“I would like to speak to anyone who had seen the teenager walking on the A96 anytime between midnight and 3.30 am when the incident occurred.
“I am especially keen to speak to the driver of a car that was travelling eastwards on the A96 and had passed Brodie just prior to 3.30 am, before the crash.
“I urge this driver to contact police immediately.”
Friends also took to social media yesterday to express their shock, among them Jack Hanson, who wrote: “I’m so upset that I’m having to write this and it still doesn’t feel real.
“Fabian your [sic] the best mate any of us could of asked for, such an amazing down to earth lad and I’m happy that I spent my teenage years growing up with you and the lads. It’ll never be the same.
“Cheers for all the good times and great memories, love u loads mate. Rest easy.”
Anyone with information or who has dash-cam footage that may assist with investigations is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 632 of February, 29, 2020.