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British backpacker, 26, found dead in his hotel bed on 'dream trip' to Cambodia by staff who were worried he'd 'overslept'

Ira Tilley, 26, from Tynemouth, was found dead at Mad Monkey guest house
Former Sheffield Hallam University student was backpacking in Cambodia

Published: 10:32 GMT, 25 June 2016 | Updated: 11:15 GMT, 25 June 2016

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Ira Tilley (pictured, right) had been enjoying the trip of a lifetime in Cambodia

A British backpacker has been found dead at a guest house in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, by staff who thought he had just overslept.

Ira Tilley, 26, from Tynemouth, near Newcastle, had been travelling around South East Asia on the trip of a lifetime.

He was found dead in his bed at the Mad Monkey guest house in Phnom Penh earlier this week.

His friend, Cheryl Adele, from North Shields, wrote on Facebook: 'RIP. Such a gent, gone way too soon. Was a pleasure knowing you.'

Ira, a former Sheffield Hallam University student, left England last month to travel around Asia and had been updating his Facebook page regularly.

Police visited the scene after his body was found but foul play is not suspected and it is thought he may have died of a heart attack .

Bob Wear, 74, who ran a football team in Marden on Tyneside, which Ira played in, told the Chronicle newspaper: 'I actually shook him by the hand when he left.

'He told the manager of the football team that he was leaving about three games before the end of the season and was going backpacking in Asia.

'It was out of the blue but he decided he was going. He was really looking forward to it.'

Mr Wear said: 'He has played with us since he was 12. He has come all the way through, we are like one big family and the lads are gutted, we all are. He will be missed by all of us.'

Ira Tilley (pictured, left, in his home town of Tynemouth) was said by friends to be a cheerful and heart-warming personality. He is pictured (centre) while on his travels in Asia

The Khmer News said his body was found at 1.30pm on June 21.

The English-language paper said: 'The foreigner slept too long and was not seen coming out of the room so the guest house manager went to inspect and to try and wake the foreigner, but he couldn't wake him. Thereafter the police were contacted and they came to inspect the scene.

'After a three-hour inspection by the police, journalists went to inquire. It was revealed by the police officials that the male casualty is suspected to have died due to a heart attack.'

Deano Bugatti wrote on Facebook: 'Ira Tilley stood out for me for his hilarious outspoken comments followed by a contagious cheeky laugh and possibly for the best reason of all, he had the biggest heart-warming personality a friend can only wish for in another.

'He would always bring a smile to our whole family when we knew he was on way, he was part of the furniture at one stage when my little brother discovered all things nice, he was a pleasure to have around, I lost a little piece of me hearing he has gone.

'Until we meet again buddy.'