STAFF at a US university have paid tribute to a Southampton man who has died in tragic circumstances at his American home.

Marc Kidby, 30, originally from Thornhill, was found with self-inflicted gunshot wounds at his home in Ohio.

Police went to his property in the Athens County area after receiving a phone call from a friend who he had called to say goodbye.

When officers arrived they found him unconscious with two serious gunshot injuries and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he later died.

Mr Kidby had been a student at Ohio University in the city of Athens and was working there as an admin associate in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Shane Gikey, assistant vice president for research and sponsored programs said: "On the job, Marc was a dependable, quick learner, who served as the office's unofficial techie.

"He was just a good guy who took on every challenge we presented to him.

"He was a pleasure to be around and was a valuable asset to the office."

The university's senior director of media relations Sally Linder confirmed that Mr Kidby had returned to work following two previous suicide threats in February.

"We are always so sorry to lose any member of our community under any circumstances, and our hearts certainly go out to his friends and family," she said.

Mr Kidby, who was going through a divorce and was banned from contacting his wife or their daughter, had threatened to jump from the fifth floor of a university building but came down after police read out messages of support from a nearby prayer group.

Less than two weeks later police had to use a Taser to subdue Mr Kidby after he said he would jump from the roof of a car park.

He was taken into custody for a mental health evaluation but later released.

Since his death police in the US have said that Mr Kidby had been ordered not to purchase or possess any firearms but his licence to own a gun was not revoked.

Staff and students of the American university are now being offered grief counselling following his death.