Kevin Hier from Tondu, Bridgend, was 'gentle giant', family says
A man from Bridgend who died after being found collapsed has been called a "gentle giant" who would go out of his way to help anyone who asked.
The family of Kevin Hier, 50, said he was also a carer for his mother.
Mr Hier was found at an address in Heol yr Ysgol, Tondu, on Wednesday and died at the Prince of Wales hospital in Bridgend.
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody at Cardiff Bay police station.
In a statement his family said: "The death of Kevin has had a devastating effect on our family.
"He was the most caring and affectionate man you could ever have the privilege of knowing and was regarded by many as a 'gentle giant' who would go out of his way to help anyone who asked and never had a bad streak in him."
Relatives said he would be especially missed by his mother because other family members lived far away and he had "in his eyes" become her carer with daily visits and phone calls.
"Many people have expressed their shock at his death and many positive comments on social websites and have left flowers and condolence messages at the scene of his death," the family statement added.
"For this, we are extremely grateful and would like thank everyone for their comments and support.
"We ask that all of us are left to grieve in private and try to come to terms with our loss."
"If anyone wishes to send any more flowers we respectfully request that the money be donated to the ambulance service instead as they did a great job in trying to save him."
Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who was in the Heol yr Ysgol area of Tondu at around 19:46 BST on Wednesday and who may have seen or heard the incident to contact the incident room on 01656 306099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.