A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his university housemate in Bristol. Zack Coughlan, 23, is accused of killing Jamie Collins, a 21-year-old robotics student at the University of the West of England.
Mr Collins was found dead in the rear garden of a property in Filton in the early hours of 9 April, having suffered a number of stab wounds. Coughlan, who lived with Collins at the property, was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder on Tuesday.
He appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Edgeworth of Avon and Somerset Police said the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised the murder charge. She added that formal identification had not yet been completed, but the victim's name was released with his family's consent as it would be part of court proceedings.
Edgeworth expressed condolences to Mr Collins' family, who are being supported by specially trained officers. She urged the public to respect their privacy and noted that neighbourhood officers have been conducting high-visibility patrols in the area.
The University of the West of England expressed deep shock at the death, offering support to students and staff. Further inquiries are planned in the coming days.
