Andrew Etches, a 23-year-old Durham University student has committed suicide and is suspected to have used some kind of toxic substance believed to be hydrogen cyanide.

A special constable discovered Etches' body in a car on the outskirts of Durham, slumped against the steering wheel of a blue Vauxhall Corsa. The car was parked on a back road off the A690 behind the Stonebridge pub, near Neville's Cross, Durham City on Tuesday morning.

When the constable broke open the window, there was a sudden gush of chemical fumes from the T-registration vehicle.

A specialist crew with the fire service arrived at the scene after suspecting the chemicals to be the cause of his death. The body was taken in a sealed casket to prevent contaminating the surroundings.

A Durham Police spokesman said that there is no foul play surrounding his death. "A post mortem will take place next week to determine a formal cause of death and the coroner is expected to open an inquest in due course."

The medical experts will also determine if hydrogen cyanide played any role in the teen's death.

"We took part in the detection, identification and monitoring the chemicals at the scene. We use advanced monitoring equipment to detect gasses and liquids in the process. Hydrogen cyanide was one of the main gases we found in the vehicle. The fire service was there to support the police. We had two appliances and a specialist team at the scene. We wore gas-tight suits and put a safe system in place," John Walkden, risk manager with Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said.

Etches, who belongs to Kimberley, Nottingham, completed his B.Sc in Computer Science from the university's Van Mildert College and was due to graduate at Durham Cathedral Thursday morning.

"Andrew was a valued member of our community and we are deeply shocked and saddened by his passing," Professor David Harper, Principal, Van Mildert College, said.

"I hope it is nothing to do with the pressure of exams, it is so tough for students these days, there is so much riding on their performance. I know from my regulars that some subjects posted exam results as late as midnight on Monday, which would have been just hours before this happened," Mike Raisbeck, 61, barman of the Stonebridge Inn said.