Later that morning, Dylan's dad, Bayleys Tauranga real estate agent Snow Williams, was sitting at his home strumming his guitar when he noticed a police car driving slowly towards his property. He knew he was about to be delivered the worst news of his life.
"I got up Sunday morning and was having a cup of tea and strumming the guitar," Williams said.
"I saw a cop car coming up ... I knew it was bad and I thought it would be [Dylan]."
Williams had seen his son only hours before when Dylan visited him at home about 11.30am on Saturday, before leaving for the Motu in the afternoon. He had told his son to be careful.
"Everybody loved him."
Williams was looking forward to seeing Dylan today on what would have been his 25th birthday .
Williams said he knew Dylan had planned to enjoy it with friends as he had already picked up a box of Waikato and left it at a friend's place.
"He was going to definitely have a few beers."
I don't know how you go on when you just lose somebody. My gap is him, and it's a huge, huge gap.
Instead of celebrating the milestone with his son, he was breaking the news of Dylan's death to those who loved him and fielding dozens and dozens of phone calls.
"I don't know how you go on when you just lose somebody. My gap is him, and it's a huge, huge gap."
Williams said the whole family was devastated by their loss, describing Dylan as a busy man who made the most of his life and was always doing something. Beekeeping was just one of Dylan's many interests.
"He was very good at what he did. He was very, very meticulous."
He was also a keen hunter and fisherman, enjoyed kayaking, was often spending time with his friends and was always learning. He was also a hard worker who was always helping everybody.
"He always mended the world. He was so generous with time."
Dylan's mother, Gayle Manson, with whom he lived in Te Puke, described her son as the "typical Kiwi bloke", who lived life to the fullest.
"He's an amazing young man, people just loved him to bits," she said. "He's just the nicest guy."
Dylan inherited the name "D" as a child because his brother, Jacob, couldn't pronounce his full name.
"'D' stuck, so 'D' it was," Williams said. "I often called him DJ because of his middle name."
Williams said his son would be remembered for his "enthusiasm for everything really".
He had excellent friends, and everybody loved him, he said.
And despite everyone's sadness, Williams believed his son would want his family and friends to carry on.
"He was just the most amazing person. He was a friend to everybody. He was my son and my mate. I want to make him proud."
Dylan James Williams will be farewelled at a funeral service at The Orchard in Te Puke at 1pm on Thursday.
