Backpacker Kristina Rennell, from Penn, died at Sunset Backpackers hostel in Australia, Reading inquest hears

Backpacker Kristina Rennell, from Penn, had set off on a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world with her friend at the start of 2015, but was found dead just six months into the holiday.

The friends travelled through south east Asia before arriving in Australia, where Miss Rennell started work on a farm on June 8.

However, just a week-and-a-half later the 21-year-old – whose death remains a mystery – was found collapsed between two sofas at a hostel in Mildura, in north western Victoria.

Another guest found the backpacker slumped unconscious after she had been drinking and raised the alarm.

Emergency services rushed to her aid and CPR was performed but she was unable to be saved and later died in hospital on June 19 last year.

Kristina Rennell was enjoying a gap year holiday, when she sadly died in Australia.

Fellow backpacker Melissa Newby said Miss Rennell had been lying in a strange position when she found her in the Sunset Backpackers hostel.

She said: "Her head was kind of stuck between the two sofas.

"Her body was folded up with her legs up against the wall. Her head looked like it was stuck.

"It looked like she was jumping around and got stuck."

The Sunset Backpackers is set close to the Murray River and is a popular spot for backpackers with a lot of farm work available in the area.

On the night of her death, Miss Rennell had been seen on CCTV footage walking around and leaping upstairs, a coroner said.

The inquest, in Reading, heard that a post mortem examination was unable to find a clear cause of death.

While Miss Rennell had been on beta-blockers and had a history of palpitations, no cardiac problems could be found, although they sometimes do not leave signs in the young.

Kristina Rennell died in June last year.

The pathologist discounted postural asphyxiation from the position she was found in as contributing to her death and any inhalation of vomit was negated by the CPR which was carried out.

While she had consumed some alcohol, the levels were not found to have been high enough to have been fatal or significant in her death.

The cause of her death was recorded as unascertained and senior coroner for Berkshire, Peter Bedford, today gave an open conclusion in the "sad" and mysterious death.

Miss Rennell's tweets before her death showed her enjoying the travelling lifestyle, exploring new cities and making friends in hostels.

In a final tweet the day before her death, she said: "First time I've had a room to myself since I left, just cleaned it top to bottom and it is delightful - so nice to have my own space."

She told a friend travelling was "good" but she'd "never been so tired" in her life after starting physical farm work.

Miss Rennell previously backpacked around Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, enjoying top tourist spots such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, as well as going to a half moon party and exploring the coast.

Her friends paid tribute to her online after her sudden death and raised £1,000 in her memory for the National Tremor Association.

Delia Halsey wrote: "I can't find the words. So lovely and so young - a joy to all the family and living on in the minds and hearts."

Mike and Pam Mellor said Miss Rennell was a "shining star who will burn bright forever."

Did you know Kristina? Leave your tributes by commenting below or email andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk