MYSTERY surrounds the death of a fit and healthy 38-year-old man who collapsed and died in his kitchen while making his lunch.

The grieving parents of Jonathan Taylor, known as Johnny or Tay to his friends, have paid tribute to their "totally selfless" son.

Police believe the former soldier collapsed suddenly on Wednesday, February 13, while preparing his sandwiches for the next day but medical experts cannot establish a cause of death.

He spoke to his girlfriend at 10pm on Wednesday, but was discovered dead on his kitchen floor the following day after he failed to turn up to work.

Police will carry out more tests but have warned his parents they may never know why their son died.

His mother Janet Taylor, of Greenfields Close, Drakes Broughton, said: "It's awful. We were never able to say goodbye to him and we might never know why he's gone.

"Why has Johnny died?

"It's a huge loss in every way, his physical presence and his smile."

Johnny was born in Pershore in 1969 but grew up in Drakes Broughton and was a pupil at Drakes Broughton Primary School and Pershore High School.

As a youngster he belonged to the Air Training Corp before joining the Royal Signals and later movement of supplies.

He served in Iraq during the first gulf war and was posted to Kosovo, Cypress, Norway and Northern Ireland.

After leaving the Army, Johnny moved to Gloucestershire and was a policeman for two years and a part-time military medic.

Eventually, he joined Gloucestershire County Council and, when he died, he was a service co-ordinator, helping to look after the elderly.

His father John Taylor said: "You can tell the person he was.

"He didn't visit us at Christmas because he was working in a soup kitchen helping the needy."

Mrs Taylor added: "He was described by somebody as a totally selfless person. He would walk across the street to help anyone."

The couple said their son volunteered with a Cotswold Canals Trust and loved the countryside.

He and dog Alfie also enjoyed CaniCross - a competition where dogs and owners run together.

He was also a talented artist who illustrated a children's book free of charge to raise money for a children's centre.

Mrs Taylor added: "He really had a go at everything. Everyone in the village and the area is in total shock."

Johnny also leaves sister Dawn, brother-in-law H, girlfriend-of-two-years Debbie Evans and her children Jess and Joe along with aunties, uncles, cousins and a great many friends.

A funeral will be held at Pershore Abbey at 11.45am on Wednesday, February 27.