Former Christchurch college student dies in his sleep

Ryan Adamson died in his sleep on Monday.

A former Christchurch secondary student has died in his sleep.

Ryan James Adamson was a former pupil of St Thomas of Canterbury College, a Catholic boys' school in Christchurch. He died in his sleep on Monday night.

The 19-year-old left secondary school in 2015 to study at the University of Otago.

In a death notice, his family said, "Our worlds are broken".

"Tragically, our beautiful Ryan died peacefully in his sleep. So beautiful, so loved, so perfect, so young."

The notice said he was "adored" by his parents and also credited him as the "perfect big brother".

St Thomas principal Christine O'Neill told Fairfax "our thoughts and love are with his family who have had three generations at our college".