Tributes paid to ‘cheeky and adventurous’ Bristol student found dead in the River Thames

Tributes have been paid after an 18-year-old university fresher from Bristol was found dead in the River Thames in Oxford.

Fintan Feltham was a first year at the University of Reading, and had previously attended Orchard Bristol School and the College Green Centre at the City of Bristol College.

He has been described as “adventurous”, “friendly” and “loving” by his family in a statement released by the police.

He was first announced as missing on Wednesday 27th November and was last seen at 3:31am walking on Whitehouse Road, outside of Oxford’s city centre, the Reading Chronicle reports.

It was confirmed by Thames Valley Police six days later that a body had been found in the river, which they believed to be Fintan.

A body has sadly been recovered by our officers and @oxsar from water near Osney Mead.

Formal identification has not yet taken place but we believe it to be missing person Fintan, 18, who went missing on Wednesday.

Our thoughts remain with his family at this difficult time.🙏🏼

— TVP Oxfordshire (@TVP_Oxfordshire) December 3, 2024

The body is yet to be formally identified as his, and the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, says the police force.

In a statement issued on Monday 9th December, Fintan’s grieving family say they are “totally devastated” after his passing.

The statement reads: “Fintan was the person who brought energy to the room.

“Everyone warmed to him. He had so many positive attributes, cheeky, adventurous, intelligent, practical, resourceful, independent, determined, a great sense of humour and friendly just to name a few.

“But most importantly he was loving to everyone he knew.”

Continuing the family’s statement, Fintan’s mother, father, and younger brother said: “We are totally heartbroken. Alongside with his girlfriend, our family members, his many, many friends and everyone else who was part of his life.

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“Fintan was born and lived in Bristol, before leaving in September to go to Reading University to study Politics and International Relations. He attended Charborough Road Primary School and Orchard School Bristol. He then went on to study A-levels at City of Bristol College.”

Upon hearing the news, his former Army Cadet team took to X to post a heartfelt message as a tribute to Fintan.

We have learned that one of our former Army Cadets, Fintan, has been found deceased by search and rescue teams in the River Thames after his disappearance.

These pictures tell the story of some of the significant moments in his time as an Army Cadet.

May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/8cL2VK0YIq

— Bristol & the Channel Islands Army Cadets (ACF) (@BandCIACF) December 3, 2024

The statement released revealed Fintan’s love for the cadet group, reading: “Fintan couldn’t wait to join the Army Cadet Force as soon as he was old enough, which was the age of 12, he joined a local Bristol detachment. Fintan was passionate about Cadets, and he thrived in that environment.

“Testimony of this, is that he was promoted to Sergeant Major whilst on a cadet exercise at Royal Sandhurst. His first taste was to march the squared around the Royal Sandhurst Parade Ground. He also had the privilege of being selected to represent the Army Cadet Force at the King’s Coronation and the great honour of marching down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

“Fintan was very happy to be selected to join The Oxford University Officer’s Training Corps and have the opportunity to continue to do one of the things he enjoyed most.”

Aside from his love of the Cadets, his family also mentioned his interest in travelling and swimming ability. The statement continued: “Fintan was keen to see the world. We are glad he went travelling in the summer and visited many European Countries.

“Fintan also qualified as a swim instructor and taught in both Bristol and Reading. We are extremely proud of all these achievements in addition to many more.

“We and everyone else who was part of Fintan’s life are totally devastated and finding it extremely hard to comprehend his loss. Not only do we now have a huge hole in our hearts, we will never have the opportunity to see the amazing future he had the potential to fulfil.

“However, we take some comfort from Fintan accomplishing so much in the last few years which many of us don’t achieve in a full lifetime.”

If you need any support, the Bristol University student support helpline can be found here, or by calling +44 (0)117 456 9860, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

University of Reading students can also find information about accessing support here.

Featured image via Thames Valley Police.