Pictured: Newcastle University student, 18, who was one of two freshers from same halls to die 'after taking ketamine' as police make 10 arrests following four drugs-related deaths - as friends say 'rogue batch of pills' are being offered for sale
- Jeni Larmour had just begun studying architecture and urban planning
- 18-year-old moved from County Armagh to Newcastle University in August
- Officers are also probing deaths of a woman, 18, man, 21, and another man, 18
- Drugs are believed to have played a part in all four deaths over the weekend
One of four young people said to have died in drugs-related deaths in North East England over the weekend was today named as an 18-year-old first-year student.
Jeni Larmour, from Newtownhamilton in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, had just begun studying architecture and urban planning at Newcastle University.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class B drug and bailed over the death of the teenager, who had only moved to Newcastle in August.
Miss Larmour is thought to have taken ketamine. Police investigating the four deaths in the city have now made ten arrests and carried out searches with drugs dogs.
Paramedics had rushed to Richardson Road in the city, where the Park View student village halls are located, early on Saturday morning. But Miss Larmour was found unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene, prompting a police investigation.
Officers are now probing the deaths of Miss Larmour, another 18-year-old female student from the same halls at Newcastle, a 21-year-old male student at Northumbria University, and an 18-year-old man, who was not a student, in nearby Washington.
Drugs are believed to have played a part in all four deaths. Today, police continued interviewing students in the Derwent block and a patrol car was parked outside.
Detectives were today carrying out 'consent-based' room searches at student halls with drugs dogs, in collaboration with student wellbeing teams at the university.
Students said drugs were readily available through Snapchat and WhatsApp - and there were rumours of a rogue batch of pills being offered around the campus.
Jeni Larmour, 18, from Newtownhamilton in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, had just begun studying architecture and urban planning at Newcastle University
A police specialist search team arrives at the student accommodation on the Richardson Road area of Newcastle this afternoon after an 18-year-old woman was pronounced dead
Suspected drug related deaths took place in Newcastle and Tyne and Wear over the weekend
Miss Larmour's friends have been paying emotional tributes to her on social media, describing her as a 'a beautiful young girl' and 'an angel'.
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One person wrote on Facebook: 'Jeni Larmour, taken too soon with such a bright future ahead. Sending love to all the family.'
Another added: 'You'll be missed greatly Jeni Larmour, it was a pleasure to know you.' And one message read: 'Rest in peace gorgeous, taken too soon.'
One student said the deaths had been his mother's 'worst fear' as he headed off to Newcastle University last Friday.
The 18-year-old man said: 'When the news began reporting the death at the halls my mum was straight on the phone very upset. I didn't know the girl involved but she could only have been here a matter of days, I only arrived on Friday.
'I left with warnings from my mum and dad about this exact situation. This was my mum's worst fear, and there's been a real feeling of shock around the halls ever since, the atmosphere is very subdued.'
An 18-year-old female student from a neighbouring block said: 'I've seen a video of the guy being arrested outside Block Three after the girl was found unresponsive in the flat she shared.
'Block Three was immediately locked down by the police and no one was allowed in or out. He was quickly brought out by the police and driven away.
'The word around the student village is that a bad batch of pills has been offered around and some people have got hold of them. Lockdown hasn't helped the situation.
'The pubs close at 10pm and people have been going back to their flat in halls to continue the party, which is what I heard happened here.
'At least one of the others who died are also students. We're not having what would be a normal freshers' experience and some people are compensating for that.
'It's so sad and I feel really bad for her parents. I haven't sought out or been offered drugs but I know they'd be easy to come by, I've heard people are buying them through Snapchat and WhatsApp.
'This is everything you are warned about, you don't know who you're buying from or what you're buying.'
Northumbria Police chief Inspector Steve Wykes said: 'This weekend we have seen the tragic loss of four young lives and our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of those who have sadly died.
'Although our investigations are at an early stage and we continue to establish the circumstances around these tragedies, we want to reiterate our warning to people against taking drugs for recreational use. The consequences could cost you your life.
'We will continue to work with both universities and will be increasing our patrols in the areas where these tragedies have occurred.'
He added: 'We would urge anyone with any information in relation to these tragedies to come forward – even the smallest piece of information could help us.
'If anyone has any information about who has supplied the drugs in question then we would also encourage them to contact us at the earliest opportunity.' 
Police at student accommodation on the Richardson Road area of Newcastle this morning, two days after paramedics rushed to the halls on Saturday morning
Police teams on site in Newcastle this afternoon as detectives investigate the four deaths
A Newcastle University spokesman said: 'We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of one of our students and our welfare teams are offering support to those affected.
'This is not Covid-related and as this is an active police investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.'
Yesterday morning a 21-year-old man was taken ill at an address on Melbourne Street in Newcastle, and later died in hospital.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: 'At 8.13am (yesterday) police were informed by the ambulance service that a man had taken ill at an address in Melbourne Street in Newcastle.
'Emergency services attended but sadly the man – aged 21 – was later pronounced dead at hospital. Enquiries into the circumstances around his death are ongoing.
A sign saying 'KET' at student halls on the Richardson Road area of Newcastle this morning
Another sign saying 'SOS' at the student halls in Newcastle is pictured this morning
'His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers at this time. The investigation is at an early stage but this is not believed to be Covid-19 related death.'
Newcastle University vice-chancellor Chris Day issued an email warning to students, saying: 'I know how different the start of this term has been and that it is exciting to be back at university with your friends after the last six months. But your safety is in your hands.
'If you drink, then make sure you do so sensibly and that you look after each other. Remember, it is against the law to take and supply drugs and it is also extremely dangerous.
'Batches of drugs can vary in purity and strength and are potentially lethal, and mixing drugs with alcohol further increases this risk.'
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