The 19-year-old had recently found his calling working as a trapper, much to the surprise of his family, who had thought him more of a city boy, Mr Cessford's grandfather and family spokesman, Richard Thomson, said.
"I think you sort of imagined him with those highlights in his hair, as more of a barista or something."
Mr Cessford's uninjured body was found last Monday in his neighbour's yard in Erskine Pl, St Clair Park, Dunedin.
Following a postmortem on Tuesday, police confirmed the death was being considered as suspicious.
An Outward Bound course - which staff at Mr Cessford's former school, Kavanagh College, helped him enter - had awakened a love of the outdoors that led to a trapping job with the Department of Conservation at Macraes, his grandfather said.
The teenager had also developed an interest in hunting.
"He grabbed life with both hands in the last couple of years. He found a job he loved and was doing well at it. It was the the making of him. He thrived in that environment and his family was incredibly proud of him."
Outside work, Mr Cessford was an "incredibly confident" and social person who could start up a conversation with anyone in any situation.
He had a wide circle of friends and "a way with the ladies".
"Even when he made you cross, he'd be the first one to come and give you a big hug. He had a big heart."
The Cessford family was shattered by the last week's events, former Otago District Health Board chairman Mr Thomson said.
"It is a very difficult situation. The police are very good and are keeping us informed, but we still don't have an indication of what caused his death and it's pointless speculating about it."
In the meantime, the family was taking things one step at a time.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve McGregor, of Dunedin, said following scene examinations at Erskine Pl , the police were waiting for forensic testing to be completed.
That process was expected to take at least two more weeks.
