DETECTIVES were yesterday given more time to question a man arrested on suspicion of murdering a Durham University graduate.

Andrea Waddell’s body was found by firefighters in her first-floor flat in Brighton on Thursday night. She had been strangled.

The 29-year-old, who had been working as a prostitute, was born Alexander John, but began hormone treatment while studying philosophy at Durham – ending her three-year course as Andrea.

A 42-year-old man from Brighton was arrested on Saturday night, but magistrates yesterday granted Sussex Police more time to continue questioning him.

Meanwhile, further tributes were paid to Ms Waddell, who underwent gender surgery while studying for a master’s degree in social and political thought at Sussex University. During this time, Ms Waddell nearly died after developing acute ulcerative colitis.

Ed Dutton met Ms Waddell in 1999, while she was still known as Alex and they were both at Durham University’s St Hild and St Bede College.

Alex was friendly, idiosyncratically funny, had an almost childlike enthusiasm for ideas and life and would be missed, Dr Dutton said.

He ran the philosophy society, packing out a debating chamber for a visit by Oxford thinker Richard Swinburne.

But Alex was not happy at Durham, had few, if any, close friends and became increasingly eccentric, Dr Dutton added.

“I remember traipsing around Durham with him in search of Viz (a satirical magazine). We described Alex as avant garde. He was different – in his thinking, in his dress sense, in his speech.

“He would deal with basic questions as if they were philosophical propositions.”

Another friend, who sat next to Alex in tutorials, said he “annoyed the hell out of me, but made me learn much more”.

“With much respect, I hope that such a keen mind found some happiness.”

A Durham University spokesman said: “The community of staff, students and alumni at Durham University are very saddened to hear of this tragic death.

“The thoughts of the university community are with the family at this difficult time.”

In a statement, Ms Waddell’s family said she should not be judged on how she made a living.

It said: “Andrea was often incapacitated by pain and unable to work, and we know she was concerned about how to make a living and be independent.

“If her decision on how to achieve this took her down unusual paths, who are we to judge?”