An inquest has heard an Oxford student was the victim of “cancel culture” within the student body in the days before his death.
Alexander Rogers, a student at Corpus Christi College, was “ostracised” by his peers following unevidenced allegations.
An inquest into his death was held over two days at Oxford Coroner’s Court and came to a close yesterday, reports Oxford Mail.
The coroner concluded that the student was “distraught” after his friends shunned him following an unreported allegation, and the distress of being ostracised led him to form the intention to take his own life.
Corpus Christi College Oxford
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Rogers, 20, was seen to enter the River Thames from Donnington Bridge on January 15 this year. Emergency services were called but a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) team pronounced him dead at 1.04pm.
A joint spokesman for the university and college said: “Oxford University and Corpus Christi College extend our deepest sympathies to Alexander’s family and everyone in our community who has been saddened by his tragic death.
“The College commissioned an independent review to identify all learning in this case with the aim of minimising the chance of such a tragic loss happening again.
“The wellbeing of our students remains our absolute priority and we are committed to maintaining the safety of all those within our university and college community. Our thoughts remain with Alexander’s family and his friends.”
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The statement continued: “Alexander was a talented student, well known and liked in the college community and beyond and a vibrant presence in the Junior Common Room, the boat club and the Materials Science cohort. Whilst the loss of any young life is tragic, we have felt Alexander’s death particularly keenly.”
Roger’s family, represented by counsel, stated their priority was for the culture of social ostracization to be recognised in the ruling so similar tragedies are prevented from occurring again.
They requested and were granted a prevention of future death report, a letter the coroner will send to the Department for Education inviting it to consider the prevalence of “cancel culture” across higher education.
The area coroner, Nicholas Graham, said: “I would like to express my condolences to the family.
“While what we are dealing with here is in the interest of the public the family additionally has to carry the unique burden of grief, which is a heavy one.”
He continued: “From what we have heard Alexander was an extremely able and popular young man and his passing is sad indeed.”
He added that the student “had sustained a severe head injury” which was the medical cause of death.
The coroner gave a conclusion of suicide.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.