Student found dead at Hartley Grove halls

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.

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of this student and this very difficult time.