The father of missing university student Viktor Ivanelo has paid tribute to his “very emotional and empathetic” son, after his body was found underneath a railway arch near Surbiton station.
- FROM WEDNESDAY: Body believed to be missing university student Victor Ivanelo found under railway arch near Surbiton station
Kingston police officers and British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Victoria Recreation Ground in Balaclava Road at about 1.30pm on Tuesday after the discovery.
A BTP spokesman said officers had examined the scene and were treating the death as unexplained.
The body is believed to be Viktor Ivanelo, a 21-year-old University of Surrey student who disappeared in mysterious circumstances after leaving a friend's house in Esher more than a month ago on February 26.
His father Valeriy Ivanelo, who lives in south London, said the family were “deeply shocked by what has happened”.
He said: “[My] son was a very kind boy, who loved the world and other people. [He] was a loving son and brother.
“Viktor was a very emotional, empathetic person who felt others’ pain and passed it through him. He lived here for seven years and loved England very much.
“Viktor had a lot of interests in life and plans for the future.
“We are deeply shocked by what has happened. The grief of parents cannot be described in words.
“We hope that he rests in peace and happiness and will always remember him.”
The student's phone, keys, earphones and bag were among belongings found along a bridleway by a horse rider in Chessington the day after he disappeared.
Police and forensics officers in Victoria Recreation Ground where Mr Ivanelo's body was found
He was spotted on CCTV travelling to Claygate from Clapham Junction station the day before his disappearance but officers said not a "single sighting" of the student was reported.
Teams from Surrey Search and Rescue had been involved in the search along with police dogs, drones and helicopters.
His family had also resorted to hiring a private detective, Andy Kemp, a former police officer who had worked for the Metropolitan Police’s missing desk for eight years.
Mr Ivanelo, who went to boarding school in the UK and was fluent in English, had been in the first year of a business management degree at the University of Surrey.
CCTV captured images of Mr Ivanelo on board a Claygate-bound train on Saturday, February 25, the day before he disappeared
Professor Jane Powell, of the University of Surrey, said staff and students were “greatly saddened” by this discovery on Tuesday.
“Students are the very heart of our university. We’re greatly saddened by the discovery of a body believed to be that of Viktor Ivanelo.
“The university will be liaising with Viktor’s family to do all we can to support them at this distressing time.”
Max Lu, the president and vice-chancellor at the university, tweeted: “I am deeply saddened to hear the discovery of the body believed to be the missing student Viktor Ivanelo. My condolences go to his family.”
Alex Field, a fellow student and friend, said: “Viktor will be dearly missed by all that knew him, his smile could light up the darkest places.
“He was a warm and caring person and always stopped for a chat, my thoughts are with his family and dearest ones. May he rest in peace.”
A solitary bouquet of daffodils were left behind the iron railings in Victoria Recreation Ground on Wednesday.
A post-mortem examination and formal identification are due to take place in the next three to four days.
- Did you know Viktor? Call the newsdesk on 0208 722 6313, email rachel.dickerson@london.newsquest.co.uk or leave your comments below
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