Kathmandu— Jason Arday, a British sociologist who recently resigned from the University of Cambridge following accusations of plagiarism and questions about his background, was found unresponsive at a home in south London on Friday. The death of Arday, 41, comes just one week after the release of his memoir, “Great and Unfortunate Things,” and follows weeks of intense media pressure surrounding allegations that portions of his academic work were plagiarized and doubts cast upon claims about athletic achievements and fundraising efforts. Police are treating his death as unexpected but not suspicious. Arday resigned from his post, stating the relentless accusations had taken a toll on him and his family.

Resignation Amidst Scrutiny

Arday stepped down from his position as professor of sociology of education last week, citing the “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary” that had impacted both himself and his loved ones. While he denied plagiarism, Arday acknowledged making some errors during his doctoral studies. The University of Cambridge announced it would investigate the circumstances surrounding his employment after new information emerged regarding his qualifications and honorary appointments.

Family Statement and Allegations

Arday’s family expressed their shock and grief in a statement released through his publisher, describing him as a “gentle man” who sought to see the best in others. They attributed his death to a “campaign of misinformation” and sustained abuse that had been directed at him for three years. The allegations initially surfaced last month when Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge researcher critical of diversity programs, publicly questioned Arday’s qualifications. Subsequent reports in The Times and Telegraph highlighted similarities between passages in Arday's 2015 Ph.D. thesis and an earlier paper by another researcher, while also questioning claims about his charitable fundraising efforts.

University Response and Review

Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice expressed her sadness at the news of Arday’s death and extended sympathies to his family and friends. She stated that the university had initially relied on a previous investigation by Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday his doctorate, but subsequently opened its own inquiry following new information. Prentice also announced a review of Cambridge's hiring processes, emphasizing the value of staff of color and stating that this case was an “aberration.”

A Life Story Highlighted

Arday’s appointment at Cambridge had garnered attention due to his personal story of overcoming challenges including dyslexia, developmental delays, and autism. He described being non-verbal until age 11 and illiterate until his late teens in his memoir, “Great and Unfortunate Things.” The book details a life marked by both promise and hardship, recalling predictions of greatness alongside warnings of future difficulties.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Arday’s death, but have stated it is not believed to be suspicious. Cambridge University has committed to reviewing its hiring practices in light of this tragic event.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.