Inquest opens into death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday

An inquest opened in London on Wednesday into the death of former Cambridge University professor Jason Arday, who was found dead at his south London home earlier this month following a period of intense public scrutiny over allegations of plagiarism and questions about his personal accomplishments. The 41-year-old academic, who in 2023 became the youngest Black professor at Cambridge, was discovered by family members at his home in Battersea on August 14, the coroner's court heard.

Senior coroner Dr. Julian Morris stated that reports had given him reason to suspect Arday died an unnatural death, prompting the formal investigation. The Metropolitan Police had previously said the death was being treated as unexpected but was not believed to be suspicious. The brief hearing at London Inner South Coroners Court, attended by Arday's family online, lasted less than five minutes, with no date set for the next session.

Arday's death came just over a week after he resigned from his positions as a professor of sociology of education and a fellow at Jesus College, Cambridge, on August 5. His resignation followed announcements from both institutions that they were investigating various...