Family and friends have paid tribute to Oxford student Matt Smith, who died on Saturday in Val-Thorens while attending the annual Oxford and Cambridge Varsity ski trip.

The third year History undergraduate of St. John’s College, Oxford, suffered cardiac arrest in his room on Sunday morning, having arrived at the ski resort on Saturday evening along with thousands of other Oxbridge students. 

Albertville state prosecutor Jean-Pascal Violet said the authorities suspected but could not confirm “heart failure linked to a combination of consuming alcohol and medicines”. Despite having no witness confirmation, Violet also speculated that the avid surfer and licensed snowboarding instructor may have overdosed on performance-enhancing bodybuilding drugs. 

However, Matt’s family believe his passing to have been caused by a combination of medications, health complications and altitude, asserting that he did not go out partying upon arrival. 

Matt’s father, Howard Smith, denied “unfounded” rumours at Oxford about his son’s alleged heavy drinking patterns and substance abuse problems, telling The Times “he had been taking antidepressants for successful treatment of mental health issues, and painkillers for sports injuries.”

His brother Harry told The Guardian “It’s been upsetting how most articles have been focusing on details which aren’t even true. There has been little attention to the fact that he was an excellent academic and sportsman who had achieved so much in his 21 years.”

Tributes from family and friends have shone light on the late student, with his school friend Eóin Barrett-Fulton noting that “there was never a dull moment with Matt, be it travelling the world, rowing the Thames, or just hanging out”. 

His death has shocked the Oxford community, with a spokesperson for St John’s expressing their “deep sadness at the tragic death”.

“While we await the findings of the official investigation we are offering support to students who may have been affected.”

Harry Smith also paid tribute to his brother in The Guardian, saying “He was brilliant, charming and much more than a brother to me, he was a mentor and someone that I strived to be like while also being my best friend. Without him I wouldn’t be who I am today. He brought so much joy to my life and many others, and the memories we all shared with him will stay with us forever. I loved him so much and I’m going to miss him more than words can describe.” 

“The most important thing for us is that Matt was with his friends,” Matt’s father told The Evening Standard. “He was with everybody skiing, close to the snow, doing what he loved.”

School friend James Rodgers hoped that, despite speculation surrounding Matt’s death, his friend would be remembered as “the statuesque individual he was”.