Man, 24, charged with murder after student, 24, killed inside university halls, leaving freshers horrified
A MAN has been charged with murder after the death of a 24-year-old student inside university halls, with freshers left horrified.
Northumbria University confirmed one of its students was found dead at the block near Newcastle city centre on Tuesday.
At the time, police were called to reports of concern for the welfare of a 24-year-old man.
When officers arrived on the scene, the man was confirmed as dead and a murder investigation was launched.
Police have since charged Aaron Ray, of Mayfield Road, Sunderland with murder.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
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The student has not been formally identified but his name is due to be confirmed in the court hearing.
On Friday morning, officers remained at the scene with police vehicles parked at the entrance of the accommodation block.
A section of the large block was cordoned off on Thursday with police tape as forensics officers worked at the scene.
A student told the how people living on the floor where the incident happened had been found new accommodation and had their fingerprints taken by police.
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Sab Ahmed, who is studying accounting at Newcastle University, said: "I have met some people who live on that floor and they have had to be relocated. They are taking their fingerprints."
Sab said there had been an unnerving atmosphere around the flats as students attempt to get on with their studies as the murder investigation got underway in the building.
The 21-year-old, from Wrexham in Wales, added: "It's pretty shocking. I'm not used to seeing this. I only moved here two weeks ago. It's been a weird place to be."
The halls, Mansion Tyne, is a block divided into individual flats with flatmates sharing a communal kitchen as well as some studio apartments.
It houses those studying at both Newcastle and Northumbria universities.
One 19-year-old student told the Chronicle she believed a receptionist found the body after being asked to check on one of the residents.
She said: ”When it first happened eight police officers came and two ambulances. I was sitting in reception and more and more police kept coming every 10 minutes."
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And a 28-year-old female student, who asked not to named, added: “I have just seen the police cars.
“I just came home to rest and saw the police cars. They said everything was under control, but it is worrying to see so many police. I just want to know if I’m safe.”
