Family and friends of Jamie Smith speak of their shock

Family and friends of Jamie Smith “in huge shock” after the second year KU student drowned in the River Thames on January 19.

Sofia Capel

The family and friends of KU student Jamie Smith, who drowned in the River Thames, told of their shock and agony today.

Jamie, whose body was found in the Thames near Hampton Wick on January 19, left his family and childhood sweetheart Jade Maggs behind, as well as friends who described his “cheeky smile” as his trademark.

Jamie’s father David Smith told the Evening Standard on January 28: “We have had to deal with so much over the past week. It has been a huge shock to the whole family. I find it hard to speak about it now.”

School friend Rob Winslow also told the Evening Standard that the second year medical Biochemistry student who loved football and playing electric guitar was “an all round true gent” who “would always be there for people”.

The teenager’s sister Sian Wilbourne, 19, wrote on her Facebook profile that her brother was “perfect” to her, and that she would always love him.

Newspapers speculated that Jamie fell and slipped into the river after a night out with his friends.