Jason Arday Found Dead After Resigning From Cambridge Over Plagiarism Allegations

Resignation, then death

Jason Arday, the former Cambridge professor implicated in a plagiarism scandal, resigned from the University of Cambridge earlier this month amid accusations of plagiarism and questions about his academic qualifications and honorary appointments. Arday, 41, was found unconscious at a residence south of London on Friday afternoon, according to Sky News and other outlets citing a statement from the Metropolitan Police Service, and the Met Police said, "Unfortunately, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene."

The Metropolitan Police said, "At this time, his death is being treated as unexplained, but it is not believed to be suspicious," and it said officers were investigating through the Metropolitan Police South Central Command Unit. Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said in a statement, "Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time," after the university said it was investigating him following "new information" about his qualifications and honorary appointments.

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Scrutiny fuels accusations

Before his death, Arday’s resignation followed Cambridge’s announcement of an investigation into "new information" about his "academic qualifications and honorary appointments," while the university said ongoing complaints about alleged academic misconduct were handled separately under its Misconduct in Research policy. In his resignation letter posted on social media, Arday wrote that resigning was "the only way" to end what he called a "difficult period," while insisting the decision should not be "confused with an acceptance of the narratives" that surrounded him.

Arday told the Guardian news website that questions about his claims that he had raised 5.5 million pounds ($7.4 million) for charity through feats such as running 30 marathons in 35 days and 600 miles in six days were tied to help from others over a 20-year period. The Associated Press reported that on July 24, the Times of London published an analysis of Arday’s 2015 Ph.D. thesis highlighting passages described as "identical or near-identical" to an earlier paper, and it said Cambridge initially stood by Arday before opening its inquiry on Wednesday.

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Calls for reflection, investigations

After Arday’s death, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the death of the high-profile Black academic accused of plagiarism and falsifying his achievements should serve as a "moment of reflection," adding that it was "a tragedy on so many levels."

Burnham also told reporters, "It’s not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It’s a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this," as Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said she was "desperately saddened" to hear news of Arday’s death.

The Metropolitan Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner, and it confirmed the case was being investigated by officers from the Metropolitan Police South Central Command Unit.

In the days before his death, Cambridge said it would not comment further until its investigation concluded, and it framed the inquiry as being launched "following new information about Professor Arday’s qualifications and honorary appointments."

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