Jamie Collins’ family said he was weeks away from finishing university and moving back to Swansea
Jamie Collins was found with a number of stab wounds in the garden of his student house(Image: Family handout)
The family of a student from Swansea who died following an alleged stabbing in Bristol have paid tribute to the “bright and gentle” 21-year-old. Jamie Collins was just weeks away from finishing his engineering and robotics degree at the University of the West of England in Bristol.
The Swansea student had been living in a house share in Cleve Road, Filton. Emergency services were called to the address in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, April 9, where Mr Collins was found with a number of stab wounds in the garden at the rear of the house.
He could not be saved and Avon and Somerset Police subsequently charged fellow student Zack Coughlan, 23, who lived with Mr Collins, with his murder. He has been remanded into custody until his next hearing. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
The Collins family said: “Words cannot describe how we are feeling as a family right now.
“Our Jamie was a bright, kind, gentle, and unassuming young man with his whole life ahead of him.
“He was looking forward to finishing his uni journey and planning to come home to us in Swansea in just a few weeks’ time.
“We know he was heading for a hugely successful future following his engineering and robotics degree.
“The outpouring of love and support from Jamie’s friends and ours has been completely overwhelming and we would like to thank everyone for their kind messages while we continue to grieve privately.”
The University of the West of England said it was “deeply shocked by the news of our student Jamie’s death in such distressing circumstances”.
A spokesman for the university added: “Our thoughts are with Jamie’s family at this extremely sad time. As well as studying robotics Jamie was also an active member of student societies at UWE Bristol.
“The university will support students who studied with Jamie and staff directly affected by his death.
“We have been liaising closely with the police to support their investigation.”
A pub in the Gower also paid tribute to the 21-year-old who worked in the pub in 2025 before moving back to Bristol. The Crofty Inn described him as a “kind soul” and “hard worker” who they said had “quickly won over the hearts of staff and locals”.
They wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the loss of a much-loved member of our team.
“Jamie worked with us back last year before moving to Bristol. He had a kind soul and was a hard worker and quickly won over the hearts of the staff and locals instantly becoming a part of the Crofty family.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him during this incredibly difficult time.
“With the severity of the incident it’s been a devastating shock to everyone.”
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