Statement From Family of Drowned Student

The family of Richard Staight have released the following statement to the media:

Richard Anthony Staight, aged 20, was the only son of Julie and Paul, younger brother to Sarah and lived at the family home in Longwell Green Bristol since being born. He was currently studying at Portsmouth University having previously attended his local primary school, Hanham High School and St Brendan’s Sixth Form College.

His extended family was always very important to Richard and he will be remembered by them all for his loving, caring and supportive nature. To his many friends Richard was a loyal, sociable fun loving guy with a wicked sense of humour and infectious laugh who liked nothing more than a cheeky pint or kicking a ball around with his mates. He lived life to the full.

Richard was found in the water below the Hot Walls in Old Portsmouth at around 8am on the morning of Friday, February 5.

A post mortem examination took place on Friday, February 5 which established that he died as a result of drowning.

Richard was last seen at around 12.15am on Friday, February 5 leaving Tiger Tiger in Gunwharf Quays. He was wearing a yellow and black horizontal stripped short sleeved shirt, which is described as being like a rugby top.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.