A 22-year-old University of Sussex undergraduate has been found dead on farmland near the Falmer campus.
Christopher Hatton, who was studying international relations, was found on Tuesday. Police are not treating the death as suspicious and a post-mortem is expected to be carried out within the next week.
Hundreds of tributes have been posted on a Facebook group, In loving memory of Chris Hatton.
Tina Watts said: “Dearest Chris, I cannot find the words to express the loss, you were such a ray of sunshine.”
Rachel Jordan said: “Chris was, for me, the epitome of joy. It was a pleasure to know him, always smiling, much laughter, lovely memories, always kept me amused in our agonising three-hour Russia seminars.
“I could hear his voice from anywhere, I saw him cycling past me on Lewes Road only a few days ago. A beautiful guy, I just can’t believe it.”
Professor Stefan Elbe, head of department in international relations, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of Christopher’s death. Christopher was an engaged, energetic and sociable student. Our thoughts are with his family and his many friends at Sussex.”
The University will be organizing a memorial event for Christopher this summer and friends who would like to light a candle in Christopher’s memory can do so at the Meeting House. Christopher’s family will be organising his funeral in due course.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, has written to Christopher’s family expressing the University’s sincere condolences.
