A young woman found dead in a hotel swimming pool with her boyfriend was a Kent nursing student, it has emerged.

Bosses at Canterbury Christ Church University today spoke of their sadness at the death of tragic Josephine Foday, who lived in Chatham.

The 22-year-old was discovered in the water at Down Hall Country House Hotel, in Essex, with the body of 31-year-old Komba Kpakiwa, from Erith, on Saturday.

Miss Foday's grandmother said Mr Kpakiwa - who was married with two children - had taken her away for a surprise weekend break to celebrate her birthday on Friday.

Police said a provisional post-mortem examination found their deaths were consistent with drowning as an inquest was opened and adjourned.

Miss Foday, who lived at a flat in Barrier Road and is pictured right, was a second-year adult nursing student at Christ Church.

Debra Teasdale, head of health at the university, said: "We were very saddened to hear about Josephine's tragic death at the weekend and our thoughts and sympathies are with her family and friends."

Tutors at Christ Church’s adult nursing department also spoke of their shock at the young student’s death.

In a joint statement, they said: “Josephine was a dedicated student, quiet and unassuming but loved by her friends and fellow students.

“She was kind, insightful and thought of other students and her friends above all else. She was a pleasure to teach, and know, and she will be sorely missed.”

Miss Foday had been living with another man at The Eye development in Chatham. A man who answered the door this morning was too upset to talk.

Student Josephine Foday lived at The Eye development in Chatham

Miss Foday's Twitter profile says: "God is everything to me. Studying adult nursing. Love life, my family and friends."

She had posted cryptic messages before her death, including one that read: "You have to accept not everyone is going to love you back, that's why it's most important to love yourself."

"quiet and unassuming but loved by her friends and fellow students..." – christ church tutors

A brief inquest hearing in Chelmsford yesterday heard the pair were found floating face down in the pool at about 7.30pm on Saturday.

Despite the best efforts of staff, they were pronounced dead. Witnesses reported having seen them alive in the their swimwear just 15 minutes earlier.

Miss Foday's grandmother Theresa Farma - who described her as a "quiet girl who wanted to help people" told reporters Mr Kpakiwa had planned the surprise break for his student girlfriend.

Shop worker Mr Kpakiwa, originally from Sierra Leone, lived with his wife and two young children in Erith.

Miss Foday fled to England with her grandmother from Sierra Leone in 2001 when both her parents venished in the country's civil war. It is believed they are dead.

Tragic Josephine Foday studied at Canterbury Christ Church University

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