An Oxford University student died by suicide in the River Thames

Alexander Rogers was a third-year ‘talented student, well-known and loved’

A new inquest has declared the death of a University of Oxford student committed suicide.

Twenty-year-old Alexander Rogers died earlier this year. He was in his third year of studying Materials Science at Corpus Christi College. Alexander came from Salisbury and attended Bishop Wordsworth’s school. He lived in university accommodation on Merton Street.

Witnesses saw him sail into the River Thames from Donnington Bridge on January 15.

Donnington Bridge
(Credit: Andreas Gray via Creative Commons)

Concerned students realized he was missing and called emergency services. A medical team arrived by helicopter. Firefighters and police recovered his body from the river. He was pronounced dead at 1:04 p.m. He died of “severe head trauma.”

Corpus Christi College said: “Alexander was a talented student, well known and loved in the college community and beyond, and a vibrant presence in the Junior Common Room, the boat club and the materials science cohort.

“The Board has commissioned an independent investigation to review all learning in this case, with the aim of minimizing the chance of such a tragic loss happening again.”

Corpus Christi College at the University of Oxford
(Credit: Andrew Shiva via Creative Commons)

An independent consultant who investigated his death said Alexander experienced a “pervasive cancel culture” in the days before his death. She said: “It was shocking to hear that students were treating each other this way, but I was not surprised by this pattern of behaviour.”

His friends and family ran the Salisbury Plain Marathon in memory this summer to raise money Papyrus Great Britaina charity that aims to prevent suicide among young people. His friend described him as “the embodiment of what is good in this world; kind, warm, funny and a great friend to so many.”

If you feel affected by this story, you can always talk to someone or contact Samaritans on 116 123. You can contact Anxiety UK on 03444 775 774, Mind on 0300 123 3393 and Calm (Campaign against Miserable Living, for men aged 15 to 35) on 0800 58 58 58.

Image credit feature: Jonas Magnus Lystad via Creative Commons