A Saudi man living in the UK had been feeling homesick, an inquest was told.
Harith Alsharif moved to Southampton to be a chaperone for his sister, Malak Alsharif, while she studied for a PhD in the Hampshire city.
His body was found in the Itchen river next to Northam Bridge on August 5, 2021.
His sister said she did not believe her “soulmate” had taken his own life.
“I am shocked at what has happened,” she said.
In a statement read to the Winchester hearing, she said that in the weeks before his death, Mr Alsharif had become "more emotional” and wanted to return to Saudi Arabia.
She said her brother, who had previously gone missing for 10 days, had not slept for two days before his death and would go for long walks.
Ms Alsharif also said he once asked her if she had heard a voice he had apparently heard.
“He started to behave differently to how he used to be," she said. "This was the feeling of anxiety, he wasn’t feeling emotionally well here and wanted to go home as soon as possible.
“He felt anxious and didn’t want to stay in one place, which is why he went walking.”
Ms Alsharif said her brother had returned the previous day from a walk and had been “delighted and excited” to have found a river with restaurants along the waterfront.
She last saw him when he went for another walk the night before his body was discovered.
Recording an open verdict, Hampshire coroner Christopher Wilkinson said: “Suicide can never be assumed. The only evidence I have is Mr Alsharif entered the water voluntarily but there is no evidence he intended to take his own life.
“Given the peculiarities of his absence from the property on a number of occasions, I do wonder if he intended to enter the water while labouring under some form of mental illness at the time.”
He said he believed Mr Alsharif suffered cold water shock or hypothermia, leading to him getting into difficulties in the water.
A postmortem found that Mr Alsharif died as a result of immersion in water possibly caused by cold water shock or hypothermia. The examination found no alcohol or drugs in his system.
Detective Sergeant Caroline Price, of Hampshire Police, told the hearing that Mr Alsharif’s clothing was found on the river bank.
She said there was no sign of a struggle and she believed he had entered the water voluntarily.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
