UPDATE: The student has been named as Alexander Ukwu, first year student of MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Neil White, Head of the Electronics and Computer Science, sent out a statement to ECS students this afternoon:
I am writing to you in my capacity as Head of ECS, and with great sadness, to notify you of the death yesterday of Alexander Ukwu who was a 1st year student studying MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Alexander will be sadly missed and we are in contact with his family to send our condolences and sympathy to them at this difficult time.
I understand that you may be very upset by this news, there are a number of different ways you can access support, if you feel you would like to.
Giles Howard, Physical Sciences and Engineering Faculty Officer and ECS student, told us:
I think I can speak on behalf of all ECS students when I say that our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends in this very difficult and sad time.
A student from the University of Southampton has been found dead at his halls of residence.
The body of an 19 year-old male was found in Hartley Grove halls yesterday.
Crews from all three emergency services were called to the tragic scene at 11:30am on Thursday 23 April.
It has been revealed that helium was present in the room where the body was found.
In a statement, Hampshire Constabulary Police said:
Specialist officers were used to ensure that an amount helium at the scene did not pose a risk to anyone at the address. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.
The University is liaising closely with the family and have offered its full support to them. We have also extended its support services to all students and staff who may be affected by the news.
The University would like to thank students and staff at Hartley Grove for their patience and support during yesterday’s actions by the emergency services. We would also like to thanks the emergency services for their effective and professional response.
The Soton Tab will update you as we hear more.
Anyone affected by the tragic events at Hartley Grove halls today, Nightline is here if you need to talk on or 25236 from halls
— Soton Nightline ()
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of this student and this very difficult time.
Very shocking and so so sad. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
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It’s sad to think this has happened twice now within a short amount of time.
I hope the uni now actively promotes and advertises regularly help and support for people who need it.
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Why jump the to conclusion of suicide? Have some respect.
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Twice??
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Alex was a student that I looked after when he first came to the UK to study in Bath in September 2013. I was head of Student Services and in charge of student welfare at the college he attended and found him to be a very committed student, with a clear goal of wishing to read Engineering at University. He told me of his ambition to return to his native Nigeria and use his engineering skills to improve the electricity network in the country.
I am really sad to learn of his passing. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his friends at Southampton University, his friends from other studies and at home, but most importantly to his loved ones.
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