GLOWING tributes have been paid to a university student who was found dead in the boot of a burning car.

Friends yesterday described Janet Müller as a "shining star" and someone who was “always smiling, always happy”.

The 21-year-old University of Brighton student, who was studying at the Eastbourne campus, was found in the boot of a burning car in Ifield, Crawley, on March 13.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the student was still alive when the car was set alight and that she died of smoke inhalation.

Christopher Jeffrey-Shaw has been charged with her murder and will appear at Guildford Crown Court on April 9.

Yesterday evening police arrested a person on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with the murder. The 30-year-old, from London, is in custody.

More details emerged yesterday about Miss Müller, a German-born student, who began her studies in the UK in 2012.

She had previously gone to school in her native Berlin.

A friend, who asked not to be named, said the student community was still reeling from the news. He said: “She was an absolutely lovely girl. A shining star. Always smiling, always happy. She was just a genuinely nice girl. Nobody had a bad word to say about her which makes this whole thing even worse. We’re all in total shock.”

A keen sportswoman, she played for both the university’s women’s football and basketball teams, both called The Panthers.

University friend Elliot Harris, who was on the same management course as her, added that she was a keen badminton player who enjoyed going on nights out and shopping.

He said: “She was a very bubbly person. Always smiling and laughing.”

Friends described the goalkeeper as a “ninja” in goal. Describing the mood among students in Eastbourne, a friend of the third-year-student said: “Shock, despair, massive disappointment – and more for her family in Germany than anything else. We found out that she’d gone missing because there were a lot of posters up and articles being shared on Facebook, but I was sickened when I found out what happened.”

It is the second tragedy in as many months for those living in the Glynde Court student accommodation in Eastbourne, after Jordan Flynn passed away last month. The 19-year-old died in February from an undiagnosed heart condition.

Miss Müller had lived in the student block in her first year. Students currently living in the halls were visibly shaken by the news.

One said: “We knew Jordan, so it’s mental that’s happened twice in two months linking Glynde Court. It’s pretty crazy.

“It just brings back memories of last month.”

Miss Müller had gone missing from the Mill View Hospital in Nevill Road, Hove, the day before she was found dead. The mental health trust which runs the facility has launched an investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Madeira.