Sky News presenter Jonathan Samuels interrupted broadcasting on Friday evening to bring a "sad" breaking news update. The newsreaders told viewers of the tragic news that former Cambridge University professor Jason Arday had been found dead. The academic had resigned from the university last week following accusations of plagiarism.
Metropolitan Police Statement
Jonathan shared that a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious. The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner."
London Ambulance Service Response
Meanwhile, Express previously reported that a London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 3.06pm on Friday 14 August to reports of an incident on Daley Thompson Way, SW8. We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic in a fast response car and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team. Sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene."
Tributes and Family Reaction
University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice has paid tribute to Mr Arday and said she was "desperately saddened" by his death. She added: "Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
The 41-year-old, who became Cambridge's youngest black professor in 2023, resigned as a professor of sociology of education last week following media reports alleging he plagiarised work for his PhD and other research.
His family told of their "shock" following his death and said he had faced a "campaign of misinformation". They said Mr Arday had been subjected to "sustained abuse" since he joined the university. In a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK, they added: "The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone."
Last week, Mr Arday admitted to a series of errors in his work, but denied the claims against him. An investigation at Liverpool John Moores University, where he completed the thesis, cleared him of any wrongdoing.
