A devastated family have paid tribute to a "kind and genuine" teenager whose sudden death came as a complete shock to his loved ones.

Aspiring architect Ocean Tabois was just 18 when his body was found at his home in Dover.

His concerned mother made the tragic discovery when she returned home early from a trip away with his sister, after becoming concerned for his welfare when he stopped responding to messages.

After tracking his phone and seeing that he was at home, and not at work as a sales assistant in Whitfield, she returned to find his body.

An inquest at County Hall in Maidstone heard that Ocean had no history of mental health issues, and had left no note.

His cause of death was given as suspension by the neck, with area coroner Katrina Hepburn ruling his death a suicide.

Speaking to KentOnline today, his father Preston described his son as “the kindest guy”.

“He was an enigma in the sense that he was quiet, and yet managed to be the life and soul of any party or group that he was in,” he said.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here.

“The whole family was brighter and happier when he was around – he just had something that you couldn’t quantify, there was more laughter wherever he went.”

Mr Tabois said the entire family had been left devastated by Ocean's sudden death.

"It was a complete shock," he said.

"I don’t think anyone saw it coming.

“It just hasn’t been the same since he went away.

“We are all heartbroken – he had so many plans. He wanted to go to university and study architecture and he was working towards moving back to London in the future.

“At school he was well-liked, rather than popular, I would say – in the sense that he was well liked but he was not flash or a show-off in any way.

“He was just himself, and he was loved for that.”