THE sister of a missing fisherman died from shock after being told he had disappeared.

Austin Miller’s wife Angelina revealed the tragic news as she desperately clings to the hope her husband will be found alive.

Mrs Miller, of Meadow Road, Benfleet, said her husband’s sister Jackie, who lives in London, died of a heart attack shortly after being told he had vanished during a fishing trip on Saturday.

She said: “Jackie was very close to her brother and she was so shocked with the phone call when I was telling her. After the phone call her daughter’s husband phoned me and said Jackie just collapsed on the floor.

“She didn’t even get to the hospital. Sshe died of the shock.”

Mrs Miller, who had been married to Austin for almost 26 years, described him as a lovely man who has always been very kind.

He last left home at 12.30pm on Saturday, to go on his 22ft boat on the River Crouch telling his wife he would be back by 6pm at the latest. After he didn’t return, the emergency services were called and a search-and-rescue mission was launched to find the 57-year-old. Mr Miller’s boat was found with the engine still running. The search has now been called off.

Mrs Miller, originally from Gibraltar, said: “This is such a shock to everybody, because my husband was so kind and such a wonderful person.

“He was a good swimmer and used to say fishing was so relaxing because you can look up at the sky.”

The couple have had no children together, but Mrs Miller said her son and daughter from a previous marriage were devastated.

Friends of the couple have been rallying around.

Mary Lewis, who has known Mr Miller for 37 years, said: “He is the most warm, friendly and kind-hearted person. In times of trouble or need he is the first person to ring or be there.”

Sandra James, a close family friend, said: “Everyone is fond of him. He always went above and beyond the call of duty with his kindness.

“This has affected so many people because he’s really close friends with people.”