‘Kindest, purest’ Northumbria University student found dead in alleged halls murder named as Jason Brockbanks

Jason Brockbanks was found dead at Mansion Tyne student accommodation last week and a murder investigation is underway - a 21-year-old has been arrested.
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Tributes have been paid to the 24-year-old Northumbria University student who died in a suspected murder at Mansion Tyne accommodation in Newcastle last week.

The victim has been identified as Jason Brockbanks, who friends have called "the kindest, purest soul there ever was".

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Emergency services found the body of the scholar in the student halls on Tuesday, September 27. A murder investigation was launched and 21-year-old Aaron Ray of Mayfield Road, South Hylton was arrested on suspicion of murder. The two men are believed to have known each other.

The accused appeared at Newcastle Magistrate's Court on Saturday, October 1 and then at the Crown Court on Tuesday, October 4. Ray is yet to enter a plea and a date for his trial has been set for Tuesday, March 14.

On Facebook, Tyler Lee Irving shared an image of Jason and wrote: "This one hurts! Such a cruel world we live in. Rest In Peace Jason Brockbanks you were a kind soul & deserved the very best in life! I Will always remember our school days mate."

Others on Facebook remembered Jason as "a lovely lad with lots of dreams, loved to travel" and "the kindest, purest soul".

A police cordon in place at Mansion Tyne student accommodation in NewcastleA police cordon in place at Mansion Tyne student accommodation in Newcastle
A police cordon in place at Mansion Tyne student accommodation in Newcastle
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Schoolfriend Tyler Burns said: "Sleep tight marra, went right through secondary with you never once thought this would of ever happened to you, especially you, you were harmless."

Another friend, Brogan Nicholson, called Jason a "beautiful soul".

She told The Chronicle: "There’s been a few times in my life where I’ve been in a low way and Jason was one of those lads that helped people in their time of need. He’d often message me and tell me I’m not alone and could speak to him if I needed to. He will be a big miss to everybody."

Confirming the name of the deceased, a police statement read: “Officers investigating the tragic death of a student in Newcastle are now able to confirm his identity.

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“On Tuesday, September 27, police were called to reports of concern for the welfare of a 24-year-old man at a student accommodation block on Howard Street.

“However when officers arrived on the scene, the man was sadly confirmed as deceased, and a murder investigation was launched.

“Today (Friday) police have confirmed the man was Northumbria University student, Jason Brockbanks of Whitehaven.

“Jason’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers at this time and ask their privacy is respected.

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“An investigation is ongoing and a 21-year-old man has already appeared in court, charged with murder.

“Aaron Ray, of Mayfield Road Sunderland, has been remanded in custody and appeared in court earlier this week. He is next due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court at a date yet to be confirmed.”

Detective Inspector Tomasz Fowler of Northumbria Police said: “This continues to be an incredibly distressing time for Jason’s family, who are having to come to terms with their loss.

“Our investigation is very much ongoing and we have already made a number of enquiries to establish what happened in the moments leading up to Jason’s tragic death.

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“An arrest has been made and a man charged, and the case will now progress through the courts. We’d ask anyone who thinks they have information, no matter how small it might seem, gets in touch with police to share what they know.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or use the ‘Tell us Something’ page on our website quoting crime reference 115102A/22.