Sean Slootweg, from East Hunsbury, Northampton, a student at Swansea University, was found in his room by a housemate on March 6, four days after he was last seen.

As his coffin was carried from the church by members of his family yesterday, Swansea University fencing club formed a guard of honour in memory of their team-mate.

Delivering the eulogy, Sean's brother, James, said: "Sean has been like my shadow and on March 6, my shadow was stolen and all of our lives changed forever.

"Our hearts are broken and there is a huge void in our lives."
Sean, who was studying aerospace engineering, had been diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 18. He was a keen fencer who had coached new members of the university fencing team.

James said: "We found that he had many close and dear friends that loved him as much as we did.

"We have been told more than once how patient and encouraging Sean was when coaching.

"He wasn't going to let his epilepsy spoil his dream of designing aircraft."

During the service, held at the Roman Catholic Parish Church of St Francis and St Therese, in East Hunsbury, Sean's father Paul read from Romans and his sister Amy played the piano as communion was taken.

The Rev Dr Brendan Killeen said: "Sean is going to share in Jesus's resurrection and we will all be resurrected in God's heavenly kingdom.
"Still talk to Sean, tell him how much you love him just as much as when he was alive."

Following the requiem mass, a service was held at The Counties Crematorium, Milton Malsor.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned and following its completion, Sean's organs will be kept with his medical records to serve medical science.