A POPULAR 18-year-old student and York shop assistant was found dead in her university accommodation.

Lucy-Jane Heeley, a student at York St John University and employee of Fat Face in High Ousegate, was discovered unresponsive in her room in Grays Wharf by a flatmate and pronounced dead by paramedics on April 13, the opening of an inquest has heard.

Miss Heeley – who would have celebrated her nineteenth birthday on Wednesday – as been described as being very popular and a good student.

A spokesman for the university said: “York St John University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Lucy Heeley at the weekend. She was an excellent student and was well liked by fellow students and lecturers alike. Our thoughts and sympathies are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.”

York Coroner’s Court heard how Miss Heeley had spent her Easter holiday from university in York and had complained of feeling unwell. She left a shift at work early on April 11.

She was heard her in her room at about 5.30pm the next day, but on April 13 a flatmate was unable to get a response from her and found her in her room after which emergency services were called.

Coroner Donald Coverdale noted Miss Heeley had Type 1 diabetes since childhood, for which she was on medication, but said she seemed to have good control of her blood sugars. She had seen her GP earlier in the year with a cough and shortness of breath.

A post-mortem investigation is being carried out to determine Miss Heeley’s cause of death.

The inquest was adjourned pending tests, Mr Coverdale said.