AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a Southampton teen whose body was discovered following a police search.

Marcel Wochna was last seen entering the water near Cobden Bridge in the St Denys area of Southampton late on November 7.

Following a missing persons search, the 15-year-old’s body was found in the river at Smiths Quay, Hazel Road, Woolston, two days later on November 9.

Area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp opened an inquest into his death at Winchester Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.

Ms Rhodes-Kemp said: “Police were called to Cobden Marine Court on November 7 after a report was made after two males were pulling down security lights. Officers attended and began to search the area.”

The hearing was told that one of the men was caught by police but Marcel, of Northcote Road, had “jumped into the water and began to swim to the centre of the river”.

Marcel’s home address was searched but he was not there and a high-risk missing persons search was launched.

Marcel’s body was recovered on November 9 by police and the Coastguard at Smiths Quay.

A post mortem has since been carried out by forensic pathologist Dr Basil Purdue who has given the cause of death as drowning.

The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), following a death after police contact.

Ms Rhodes-Kemp adjourned the hearing for a full inquest to take place on June 21, next year.

The coroner has requested reports from Hampshire police, the IOPC, next of kin, GP and the Coastguard.