The family of a teenager who fell to his death at St Paul’s Cathedral have paid tribute to a “beautiful, talented son”.
James Jorge Jose De Sousa Stayton, 19, from Herefordshire, died after falling 100ft from the Whispering Gallery on 1 April.
A coroners’ inquest was opened this week, and will draw on a City of London Police report that treated the death as non-suspicious.
In a tribute to his memory, his family said: “We are all in deep shock at the loss of our beautiful, talented and intelligent son.
“He had a deep passion for history and revelled in sharing his knowledge with others. He truly was a young gentleman, always willing to help others where he could.
“With his wicked sense of humour and mischievous smile he could bring irrepressible joy to anyone in his company. Words cannot adequately express the devastation we feel, nor the love we have for him. The world is inarguably a lesser place without JJ.
“Finally, we would like to thank City of London Police along with all our family and friends for their support and compassion, and we would appreciate continued privacy during this time.”
