Bristol UWE student charged with murder of housemate Jamie Collins

Zack Coughlan accused of killing fellow student Jamie Collins, who was found dead at property they shared in Filton

A man has been charged with stabbing his university housemate to death at their house share in Bristol last week.

Jamie Collins, 21, a robotics student at the University of the West of England, was found dead in the rear garden of a property in Filton with “a number of stab wounds” in the early hours of 9 April.

Zack Coughlan, 23, who lived with Collins at the property, was arrested on Sunday and charged with his murder on Tuesday, when he was also to appear at Bristol magistrates court.

DCI Lucy Edgeworth, of the major crime investigation team at Avon and Somerset police, said the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised a murder charge against Coughlan.

She said that even though the formal identification process had not been completed, police were releasing Jamie’s name, with his family’s knowledge, because it would form part of the court proceedings and be in the public domain.

“Our thoughts are with Jamie’s family at this hugely difficult time and specially trained officers are offering them support and keeping them regularly updated with our investigation,” Edgeworth said. “We would politely ask people to continue to respect their privacy.”

She added: “People who knew Jamie will be understandably shocked and hugely saddened to learn of what has happened.

“Neighbourhood officers have been carrying out high-visibility patrols in the area over recent days and are working closely with staff at the University of the West of England, where both men were students, to ensure support is in place for those who need it.”

Further inquiries were planned in the area over the coming days, and Edgeworth thanked residents for their patience and understanding.

The University of the West of England said: “The university is deeply shocked by the news of our student Jamie’s death in such distressing circumstances. Our thoughts are with Jamie’s family at this extremely sad time.”