A soldier who was found dead in the River Medway after a night out with friends had been trapped under a boat, an inquest has heard.

Charlie Saywell, 25, was discovered at around 10.50am on Tuesday, March 5, when a worker near the river noticed his body in the mud.

Officers, paramedics, the fire service, and HM Coastguard were called to the scene at Turks Shipyard in Main Gate Road, Chatham, but the young man was already dead.

An inquest opening in Maidstone heard how one of the workers at the boatyard looked over the sea wall and saw Charlie with rope around his legs and torso.

He was identified by police using ID which was found with him.

Coroner Catherine Wood told the inquest his cause of death was drowning.

She added the incident “was clearly a violent or unnatural death”, before adjourning the hearing to be heard in full on June 4.

Mystery still surrounds what exactly happened in the lead up to his death, with his mum Victoria Brown appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Police have confirmed Charlie had been out in the town the previous evening with friends before taking a taxi to his home in Brompton.

However, instead of going into his accommodation, it is thought Charlie chose to walk into Chatham town centre between 12.10am and 2.40am.

He’s thought to have walked past Primark in the High Street and then visited a fast-food outlet.

The force says he then may have mistakenly got into an unidentified car nearby, where it is believed he was assaulted by the driver and suffered facial injuries.

‘For those who did not have the privilege of knowing Charlie, he was a remarkable individual – a true role model in both stature and character...’

Charlie’s mum Victoria said: “If you have witnessed my son Charlie’s movements during the early hours of that morning and can offer any information, however small, please can you contact Kent Police so our family can have some answers about what happened to him.”

Det Sgt Karen Caulfield says information is now being sought to identify places Charlie visited on the evening prior to his death.

"While we do not have specific information about where Charlie went between 12.10am and 2.40am, he had a phone conversation before his death which indicated he may have suffered an assault in the town during that period," she explained.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have seen Charlie walking in the Gillingham and Chatham areas during these times.

"We are particularly keen to hear from anybody who saw him in a fast-food outlet or involved in an altercation in or near to a car.

"At this stage we are not treating Charlie’s death as suspicious, however, it is important we understand where he visited and what happened to him prior to his tragic death."

Charlie was last seen wearing a dark navy-coloured short-sleeved t-shirt, khaki-coloured cargo trousers and white trainers.

More than £4,000 has been raised in the soldier’s memory after a fundraiser was set up by his friend Joe Leishman. It has surpassed its original goal of £1,000.

The organiser wrote: “For those who did not have the privilege of knowing Charlie, he was a remarkable individual — a true role model in both stature and character.

“As a Sapper in the British Army, serving proudly as part of the Royal Engineers, Charlie exemplified dedication and service to his country. It is with great sadness that we recently lost him at the age of 25.

“As preparations are made for his service, I recognise the importance of honoring Charlie with the utmost respect.

“Any contributions toward supporting the family would be sincerely appreciated. It is the least we can do for someone who touched so many lives.”

Anyone with information is being urged to call police on 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/36226/24.

Drivers, plus residents or businesses with private CCTV, are also being asked to check for any relevant footage.

People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by completing their online form.