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Girl's love for suicide project student Christian
THE former girlfriend of a photography student who hanged himself in Southampton woods while carrying out a project on notorious suicide spots has told of the man she still loves.
Sammie-Jo Hickson, says Christian Drane was her first love and she will never forget him.
She was speaking after an inquest revealed that Christian, 21, had been carrying out a photography project on places well-known for suicides before he killed himself.
Sammie-Jo, 20, said: "He was amazing. He was really romantic, intelligent and talented, just amazing.
"One of my favourite memories is when he wrapped me up in toilet roll and fairy lights and took pictures of me and when he took me to Paris for my birthday.
"Another time he just said let's go to London and we went on the London Eye, then he took me to Big Ben because he knew I liked it.
"That's what he was like - cheeky, spontaneous and excitable, he just couldn't sit still. Nobody can believe what has happened, he was the happiest person you could meet - and I still love him."
Despite the fact both went to Southampton Solent University they got to know each other online.
The pair bumped into each other by chance in Lennon's in Southampton on January 18 last year and recognised each other from their photographs on the Web.
Sammie-Jo, of the Polygon, Southampton, said: "I had just been to see one of my favourite bands Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly and Christian said Sam from the band was at the bar and grabbed my hand but instead of taking me to the bar he kissed me - although it turned out the band really were there.
"He was a brilliant guitarist himself, well he was one of those people who is good at everything they try."
Christian asked Sammie-Jo to be his girlfriend less than two weeks after they met when she turned up to The Walkabout bar in town where he worked and later got Sammie-Jo a job.
Taking her lead from Christian who had a tattoo representing his family on his arm Sammie-Jo marked their special relationship with a heart on her wrist.
Since his death she has had the date they met added to this tattoo.
The couple broke up about a month before his death but remained best friends, seeing each other almost every day.
Christian, who lived in Coventry Road, Southampton, was found dead in woods near the Polygon on March 16. His ambition had been to become a professional photographer.
A Solent University spokesman said: "While at the university Christian showed no signs that he was unhappy or contemplating taking his own life - and he did not contact the university's support services.
"Indeed Christian was a bright and popular student, who was on target to achieve a 2.1 in his photography degree.
"His death has been felt deeply by his fellow students and lecturers."
9:17am Monday 12th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: L, Southampton on 1:44pm Mon 12 May 08
Sounds like a really cracking lad. It's such a sad story. I hope everyone who knew him can be thankful for the good times.
Sounds like a really cracking lad. It's such a sad story. I hope everyone who knew him can be thankful for the good times.
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