A gifted student who drowned at sea during Storm Noa in April deliberately committed suicide, an inquest has found.
Sai Tejaswi Kommareddy, 24, who was studying for an MSc in aerospace and aerospace engineering, walked into the sea at Brighton and dove beneath the waves.
Eyewitnesses described seeing her walking along the beach as wind and rain pounded the coast.
But then the Indian-born student turned abruptly to the right and headed straight into the waves.
When the water was up to her waist, she fell, or deliberately dove headfirst beneath the waves.
Sai Tejaswi Kommareddy, 24, who was studying for an MSc in Aerospace and Aerospace Engineering, walked into the sea at Brighton and dived beneath the waves
The tragic incident on April 11 this year was witnessed by a man carrying out work on a top floor flat overlooking the beach.
In a statement he said: ‘I saw a person dressed in dark clothing walking along the beach. I thought it was strange because the weather was terrible.’
He said he watched the person for a few minutes as they walked along the beach.
But then he saw them turn ‘sharply to the right’ and walk straight into the sea almost up to their waists.
In a statement to the Chichester court hearing, he said: ‘I saw the person fall or hit their head in the wave as if they were trying to drown.’
The eyewitness said he immediately called the coastguard, who arrived on the beach shortly afterwards on two quad bikes and soon found the woman floating face down in the water.
They pulled her out and tried to revive her on the beach before she was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
No relatives attended the inquest in Chichester, West Sussex, although a representative from her university attended via video link.
The tragic incident on April 11 this year was witnessed by a man carrying out work on a top floor flat overlooking the beach. He saw them turn and walk straight into the sea
Police, ambulance teams and coastguard crews from Brighton and Shoreham were called to the scene near Brighton Marina. A coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire was also called to the incident where Teja disappeared into the sea
The hearing was told that Sai – who was also known as Teja – had been a student at Cranfield University in Bedford, where she studied for an MSc in aerospace and aerospace engineering.
The one-year course was ‘intensive’, but Sai seemed to be coping with the studying and seemed happy.
Fran Radcliffe, head of student welfare and support at the university, said Sai was a student representative for her cohort and actively participated in university life.
The master’s student was vice-president of the association CranSEDS, the university branch of UKSEDS (UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space), which consists of students with a passion for space exploration.
Ms Radcliffe told the inquest that Sai was a ‘committed and active’ student who did not appear to have had any problems settling in.
‘She turned out to be a very active student who worked and studied hard on her studies.’
Ms Radcliffe said the welfare and support team had not been contacted by her and were not aware of any issues she may have experienced.
The investigation revealed that the Indian-born student had traveled to Brighton by train from her residence in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, the day before (April 10).
She had booked a hotel the night before before being spotted walking along the beach around 4pm the next day.
Coastguards found a handbag containing Sai’s contents on the beach, along with a key to a hotel in Brighton. At the hotel they found a backpack belonging to the student.
Her cousin set up a GoFundMe page to cover repatriation costs and her body was flown back to India for a funeral.
On the fundraising page, the cousin said: ‘Sai was a driven and hardworking individual who dreamed of pursuing a career in aerospace.
“She had a natural curiosity and a thirst for knowledge that inspired everyone around her.
‘She had already made great progress in her studies, but her dreams were cut short before she could realize her full potential.’
A spokesperson for CranSEDS said: ‘We will always remember her as a smart and dedicated individual, who brings with her a real expertise in the community.
“She has worked extensively to develop new partnerships and has been able to contribute to the development of CranSEDS throughout the year.
‘Teja’ was a positive and inspiring person who could get her work done without showing any stress. Everything with her seemed so easy and clear.
‘She was known throughout the university and club. The shock caused by this tragedy has left the entire community of Cranfield distraught and in mourning ever since.”
Recording a verdict of suicide, West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield said: ‘I am satisfied that Sai deliberately placed herself in the sea on Brighton beach with the intention of committing suicide so unfortunately I must reach a conclusion of suicide. ‘
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