26 Sep 2019

Canterbury Uni apologises after student's death not noticed

From Checkpoint, 5:15 pm on 26 September 2019

Canterbury University has launched an independent investigation after the death of one of its students at a hostel went unnoticed for weeks.

The young man's body was found in his room at the Sonoda hall of residence on Monday but may have been there up to two months.

The University's website says Sonoda, which is privately operated - but has a contract with the university - offers support and pastoral care and has two resident assistants at the hostel to help students.

But it seems nobody noticed the student hadn't been around.

Lisa Owen talks to the University's Vice Chancellor, Cheryl de la Rey.

She says she'd spoken to the young man's family,