Haseen Hashim, 20, was found dead in the alleyway off West End Street in High Wycombe early on June 29 by Elizabeth Mayhew, who was on her way to drop her daughter off at a childminder’s house.

The student, whose home address was in Desborough Avenue, had been studying sports performance at Cardiff Metropolitan University since September 2019, but had returned home to High Wycombe when the pandemic struck in March.

An inquest into his death, held at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, heard that Haseen was happy and bright and a keen sportsman, playing rugby for Oxfordshire County with many friends.

A statement from Mrs Mayhew heard how finding Haseen’s body at around 8.25am had left her distraught and suffering flashbacks.

Her statement described how she called 999 when she realised what she had discovered, but as she was new to the area, did not know where she was.

She then noticed she was close to High Wycombe ambulance station, so ran there to get help from a paramedic.

Tragically, Haseen, who was born in Accra, Ghana, was pronounced dead at the scene at 8.40am.

He was identified by police from documents he had with him in a bag – including his provisional driving license and a copy of his passport.

Haseen’s heartbroken parents and a close friend attended the inquest in Beaconsfield on October 28.

His father Suleman’s statement told how after Haseen had left for university, he stayed in frequent contact with his family and was happy there.

When Haseen returned home to High Wycombe for the Christmas holidays in 2019, the family received a letter asking them to pay his accommodation fees, even though he had already been given the money.

Mr Hashim said: “He told me he spent the money. We looked at his bank statements – he had spent it on socialising and clothes. He was upset. He went back to university in January and he was doing well.”

When the pandemic hit, he returned back to High Wycombe, and Mr Hashim’s statement mentioned how the night before he died, they watched Match of the Day together before going to bed at around 2am as normal.

Mr Hashim added: “He didn’t suffer from depression and wasn’t on medication. He was a fit young man. He didn’t take drugs, although he said he had bought alcohol. I don’t know why my son died.”

Medical reports from Haseen’s GP confirmed he had not visited for any mental health reasons.

A post-mortem concluded that Haseen had died as a result of hanging.

Assistant coroner for Buckinghamshire Ian Wade said why Haseen died was a “complete mystery”. He said: “He was on the threshold of a very fulfilled and successful life. He was a gifted rugby player and clearly a bright young man – someone who had everything to look forward to.

“He had taken the precaution of making sure his identity would not be a mystery, he left things in his bag. There is a determination in what in what he did and I am satisfied he did what he did entirely alone.

“He took his own life. No one could have foreseen this. I can only offer you my sincere condolences.”

An online fundraising page saw more than 750 people donate to Haseen’s family, with friends describing him as a “gentle giant” and “everyone’s best friend”.