Tributes pour in for '˜immensely talented' Stevie Martin

The 29-year-old had been missing for almost a month, and police confirmed at the weekend that he search had been called off.

A major search operation had been under way for Lifford-native Stephen, who went under the stage name Rainy Boy Sleep, since his car was located at Fanad Lighthouse last week.

The singer-songwriter and musician had last been seen in Derry three weeks prior to this.

A PSNI spokesman posted at the weekend: “It’s with great sadness that we have had to call off the search for Stephen Martin, AKA Rainy Boy Sleep, after he was discovered passed away earlier this weekend.

“He was a true gem of this city and when you look at how the whole community came together in an effort to find him, it’s beyond clear how much he meant to everyone who knew and loved him!”

Hundreds of tributes have been paid since news of his passing emerged.

Many have been sharing a video of a duet between Stevie and Cyndi Lauper singing her hit ’True Colours’ live on stage.

Celtronic in Derry said: “So sad to hear of the passing of Stevie Martin aka Rainy Boy Sleep. We had the pleasure of Stevie playing for us at several gigs and festivals over the years. An immense talent and a really lovely guy. Thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.”

Local artist and friend Soak meanwhile said: “Just heard news of my friend, Stevie Martin, aka Rainy Boy Sleep’s passing. I remember seeing him play at a festival locally when I was 13 and wishing I could write the songs he was singing, soon after that we made friends and he came to some of my first ever shows.

“We were lucky enough to have him on the road last year in Ireland for a couple of gigs and it was one of the most memorable tours we’ve done.

Never saw you without a smile on your face, was a pleasure to know you Stevie, rest in peace x”