A post-graduate student at the University of Kent with "exceptional teaching skills" was found dead in her room, an inquest has heard.

Jessica Small, 26, was discovered by police officers who attended her accommodation at The Annexe in Whitstable Road, Canterbury, on Friday, October 11.

A post-mortem examination revealed she had died from hanging.

Coroner Sonia Hayes opened the inquest today but adjourned the full hearing until January 7. It will be held at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone.

A university spokesman said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we can confirm the death of Jess Small, a third-year PhD student.

"Jess was known for her exceptional teaching skills and was a valued member of both her research group and her School.

"A range of support has been offered to her fellow students and staff.

"Our sympathy and condolences are with Jess’s family and friends at this most difficult time.”

Jessica, originally from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, was a graduate teaching assistant at the university's School of Anthropology and Conservation.

She had achieved first-class honours in her physical and biological anthropology degree at the University of Kent.

Jessica then completed a masters degree in bioarchaeological and forensic anthropology at University College London.

Her PhD thesis was titled 'The forensic anthropology of burnt human juvenile teeth: a histological and scanning electron microscope approach'.

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