Masters student drowned in sea near Brighton Marina, court hears

Sai Tejawsi Kommareddy, from Bhongir, India, was pulled from the water near Brighton Marina after she was seen entering the sea in dark clothing.

The 24-year-old who was studying for a master's in astronautics and space engineering at Cranfield University near Bedford, died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton after a huge emergency response was triggered following reports of a person in the water on April 11 this year.

Storm Noa in April lashed the south coast and two people were killed after going into the sea in Brighton.

In an inquest into her death today at Ede’s House, Chichester, witness statements confirmed they had seen a person dressed in dark clothing near the shoreline.

One witness who had been working at a top-floor flat in Clarendon Terrace, Brighton, said they thought it was strange to see someone so close to the water as the weather was “terrible”.

In written evidence provided by Mr Smith, read to the court by coroner’s assistant Mr Jewell, he said: “It is not normal to see someone walking on the shoreline in such bad weather.

“They were walking near the nudist beach.

“I watched the figure for a couple of minutes walking west to east until they turned hard right into the water.”

• READ MORE: Tributes paid to student who died after being pulled from water

Written evidence from DS Turner said: “On Tuesday, April 11, police were called by the coastguard to a report of someone facedown, floating in the sea.

“Officers attended and a female was pulled out of the sea by the coastguard, where ambulance staff began resuscitation.

“There were no obvious signs of injury or trauma.”

Sai was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 5.33pm.

A bag was found by the sea and the contents were identified as belonging to Sai including bank card, phone and hotel key which was traced to a hotel in the city.

The Brighton hotel confirmed that Sai had made a booking and had stayed there.

Rail tickets found confirmed she had travelled down to Brighton from Bedfordshire the previous day.

Fran Radcliffe, the head of student support and wellbeing at Cranfield University, said: “Sai was a popular student, she was the course rep and joined us in October for a one year full time MSc course.

“She was an engaged and active student who represented her cohort.

“There were no concerns other than that her course was intense.”

Sai was a popular, engaged student (Image: The Kommareddy family)

Her body was repatriated to Saidabad, in Hyderabad, after her family raised more than £22,000.

Writing on the GoFundMe page, Pradeep Reddy Lekkala, Sai’s cousin, said: “Sai was an incredibly bright and passionate student and had a deep love for all things related to space and aviation.

"She had a natural curiosity and a thirst for knowledge that inspired everyone around her.

“Unfortunately, her life was cut short, and we are left with a heavy heart and a deep sense of loss.

“We are deeply grateful for your support and generosity.”

Concluding the inquest, senior coroner Penelope Schofield, said: “Having heard the evidence I am satisfied that Sai deliberately placed herself into sea with intent of taking her own life.

“I conclude her death was suicide.

“My deepest sympathies for the sad loss of Sai.”

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.