Cambridge student on Stormzy scholarship died by overdose, coroner finds

TW: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing. 

A University of Cambridge student died by overdose in his college accommodation, a coroner has found.

Jordan Keyton, 23, was in his third year of study when he was found, The Telegraph reports.

He was located in his Downing College room on March 26th after his tutor requested a welfare check, as staff had not heard from him in days.

Jordan joined Downing College at Cambridge in 2021, shortly being referred to the college’s wellbeing service, which delivers physical and mental health support and advice.

An “award-winning” student, he was a recipient of rapper Stormzy’s scholarship, which has provided financial support to 40 black students during their university studies.

Jordan then left the college for a period where he received care under a psychiatric team in Southampton and returned in October 2021 to resume his studies.

Elizabeth Gray, the coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, confirmed that Jordan died of an overdose. She said: “There is no evidence to determine whether this overdose was intentional or accidental.”

Elizabeth also shared that Jordan attempted to take his own life in 2022 despite “appearing to be doing well at university.”

He was subsequently hospitalised, and Downing College requested he take a break from university life. Within this break, he received a long period of intensive counselling, funded by the university and Downing College.

Elizabeth Gray shared that Jordan went on to  pass his economics exams in early 2024 and that “Mr Keyton’s economics course seemed to be going very well’’ 

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The inquest heard that Jordan was also engaging in extracurriculars in the first term of the final year of uni, becoming “an award-winning dj” for the college’s radio station, CAM FM.

Downing College via Google Maps

However, he did return home to Southampton in the first term after a reported bereavement, but was still on track to graduate in July 2024.

He was found dead after his university tutor requested a check of his accommodation, as he didn’t respond to her emails, and she discovered that no other academic staff had heard from him.

A tribute page for Jordan on Instagram described him as “the personification of kindness and generosity.”

It read: “He was a blessing shared by his family, his many friends, his fellow students and work colleagues. He was a son, a brother, a nephew, a friend and a bonus brother.”

A tribute to Jordan was shared on Downing College’s website near the time of his death, where it explained the college was “deeply saddened”. It read: “Jordan was an enthusiastic fresher rep in the challenging context of the pandemic and greatly helped the 2020 intake settle into College, during a complex and difficult time.

“More recently Jordan put a great deal of energy into CamFM, where he served on the committee and hosted a regular show. Jordan took part in the 24hr radio marathon last year, raising over £1,000 for the charity ‘it takes a city’ and he was recently awarded an Outstanding Contribution prize at the 2025 Student Radio Association Amplify Awards.”

If you feel affected by this story, please speak to someone or contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. You can contact Anxiety UK on 03444 775 774, Mind on 0300 123 3393, and Calm (Campaign against living miserably, for men aged 15 to 35) on 0800 58 58 58.

Featured image via Google Maps and Downing College