Student who won Stormzy scholarship to Cambridge found dead in halls

A Cambridge University student, who was awarded a Stormzy scholarship, was found dead in his university accommodation after overdosing on anti-depressants, a coroner ruled.

Jordan Keyton, 23, had joined Downing College Cambridge in October 2019 to study chemistry, the inquest stated. An obituary for Jordan said during his time at Cambridge University he became a Stormzy scholar, in which he received financial support for his university education.

The scholarship, launched in 2018 by Croydon-based rapper Stormzy, has supported more than 40 black students.

On March 26 this year, Jordan was found deceased by a member of staff - who had gone to check on Mr Keyton’s welfare as he had not been seen for several days - with multiple tablets and medication boxes surrounding him. He was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics.

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Elizabeth Gray, the area coroner for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, concluded Mr Keyton died of an overdose, but said: “There is no evidence to determine whether this overdose was intentional or accidental.”

Ms Gray said that after joining Downing College, Mr Keyton had been assigned a Tutor as a Pastoral Care lead and he was referred to Downing College’s Wellbeing Service delivers physical and mental health support, advice and signposting for students in April 2021.

In October 2021 Mr Keyton returned to Downing College after a period of leave due to mental health issues. Mr Keyton had been under a psychiatric team in Southampton at that time.

“Mr Keyton appeared to be doing well until January 2022, when he attempted to take his own life”, Ms Gray said. “He was hospitalised and was given another opportunity to have a break from college. Mr Keyton did not want to take a break however this was required by Downing College to take a break from his studies.

“Prior to Mr Keyton’s return, Downing College and Cambridge University funded long term period of specialist counselling for Mr Keyton.

“Mr Keyton returned to university around end of January 2023. He sat his exams in May but didn’t pass. College applied for an appeal for him to continue studying, which was successful. He also decided that he no longer wanted to continue his chemistry studies so he changed to study economics.

“Mr Keyton’s economics course seemed to be going very well, and he took his passed his exams successfully in October 2024.”

The coroner said Mr Keyton had started to engage in extra-curricular activities such as being a DJ for the college student radio station, CAM FM and that the first term of his final year at Downing College went well, though he did return home to Southampton, “following a reported bereavement”.

At the end of his second term, Mr Keyton’s Tutor sent an email to all of her students asking if they wanted to organise an end of term meeting, but Mr Keyton did not respond, so she checked with other academic staff who also had not heard from him and a request was made to check his accommodation.

A tribute page set up in memory of “beautiful, beaming, radiant” Mr Keyton’s memory said he was due to graduate on July 4 this year.

“He was so near to completing one of his life goals, a Cambridge University Degree. Jordans time at Cambridge was more than just education. He made wonderful friendships, he became a Stormzy Scholar and became an award-winning DJ on the local Cambridge radio station, CAM FM”, it said.

“Jordan was the very personification of kindness and generosity. He was a blessing shared by his family, his many friends, his fellow students and work colleagues. He was a son, a brother, a nephew, a friend and a bonus brother.”

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