A 21-year-old Southampton student who was carrying out a project photographing sites where people commit suicide was found hanging from a tree, an inquest has heard.
Christian Drane, originally from Doncaster, was studying at Southampton Solent University when his body was discovered in woods in the Polygon area of the city on March 16 this year.
Police Constable Sam Weller told the Southampton inquest that fr
iends had told him that they knew no reason why Mr Drane, who had a part-time job at a Walkabout bar, would take his own life.
He said that his inquiries had found that Mr Drane had been conducting a project photographing suicide sites.
Of Mr Drane's death, PC Weller added: "It is one of those unsolved mysteries. I spoke to a number of students who knew him very well and colleagues from the pub and they gave me no indication why or any reason for this act to have been done - nothing at all."
A suicide note left by Mr Drane, which was read to the hearing, said: "To mum and anybody that cares. I have done something I can never forgive myself for. I am a bad person. I am sorry. I love you."
Deputy Southampton Coroner Gordon Denson recorded a verdict that Mr Drane took his own life and expressed his condolences to the family.
Speaking after the inquest, a spokeswoman for Southampton Solent University said that counselling was on offer to any student affected by Mr Drane's death.
She added: "Southampton Solent University extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Christian Drane.
"We were shocked and saddened by the death of this bright young student whose life was cut tragically short. His death has been felt deeply by his fellow students and lecturers."
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