Missing student died in river, inquest hears

A university student who went missing died in the River Soar while under the influence of alcohol, an inquest has heard.

Aryan Sharma, 20, was last seen on the outskirts of Loughborough, where he was studying, at about 00:30 GMT on 22 November, prompting an appeal.

Leicestershire Police said a body was found on 14 December in the river at Normanton on Soar following a report from a member of the public.

An inquest into Sharma's death was opened on Wednesday at County Hall in Glenfield by Sophie Lomas, assistant area coroner, and adjourned until 15 April for a review hearing.

The inquest heard Sharma, who was born in London, had been living in Loughborough at the time of his death.

He was last seen on CCTV in Meadow Lane and reported missing on 23 November by his family, who issued a direct appeal to find him.

The inquest heard the medical cause of Sharma's death was immersion in water while under the influence of alcohol.

Inquires are continuing into the circumstances surrounding his death, the coroner said.

Closing the inquest, the coroner offered her sincere condolences to the family of Sharma.

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