Grisly discovery in remote jungle after teen plunges from plane
The body of a 19-year-old Cambridge University student who fell to her death from a plane above Madagascar has reportedly been found.
Alana Cutland, from Milton Keynes in the UK, died on July 25 after falling from the light aircraft as it travelled over the island nation off the east coast of Africa.
Local media reports said the teen fell when she opened the plane door during a research trip in the remote area of Anjajavy.
Local police chief Sinola Nomenjahary said that Ms Cutland's body had been located in a rural area, the BBC reported.
Authorities on the island previously said they believed Ms Cutland had fought with her friend before her death.
Police are looking further into whether anti-malaria medication may have prompted an adverse reaction while in the air, despite dismissing the theory earlier in investigations.
Police Colonel D'y La Paix Ralaivaonary told the BBC she "fell into a crisis" after her project wasn’t going as planned.
He said Ms Cutland had been in constant contact with her supervisor and family and had expressed her “disappointment”.
Tributes for ‘wonderful’ student
In a statement released through the Foreign Office, her family paid tribute to the 19-year-old last week.
"She was particularly excited to be embarking on the next stage of her education, on an internship in Madagascar complementing her studies in natural sciences,” they said.
The Cutlands added the teen’s “thirst for discovering more of the world” ensured she “made the most of every second”.
"We are heartbroken at the loss of our wonderful, beautiful daughter, who lit up every room she walked in to, and made people smile just by being there,” the family said.
Dr David Woodman, of Robinson College at Cambridge University where she studied said in a statement the college was “deeply shocked”.
"In her two years here, she made a huge contribution to many different aspects of life in the college,” Dr Woodman said.
"She will be sorely missed by us all. The college extends its sincerest condolences to Alana's family at this extremely difficult time.”
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