Jason Arday, former Cambridge professor, dies week after resigning amid plagiarism allegations - CBS News

Jason Arday, who became Cambridge University's youngest Black professor when he joined in 2023 at age 37, died in London on Friday at age 41, a week after resigning amid plagiarism allegations, according to his family.

His family said he had faced "a campaign of sustained abuse" and "misinformation" during his more than three years at Cambridge, describing him as a gentle man and mourning the loss of a father, partner, brother, uncle and son.

London's Metropolitan Police said officers responded to a 41-year-old man found unresponsive at a property at 3:12 p.m. local time Friday, where he was pronounced dead; the death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious and remains under investigation.

Arday resigned from Cambridge on Aug. 5 following allegations of plagiarism and fabrications in his biography, stating that the "relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary" had taken a profound toll, while insisting his departure should not be seen as accepting the narratives about him.

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the death "a tragedy on so many levels" and urged against "rushing to judgement," while Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was "deeply shocked & saddened" and asked the public to respect the family's privacy.

Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice expressed being "desperately saddened," offering heartfelt sympathies to Arday's family and friends during what she called an incredibly difficult time.