An investigation has been launched into the ‘unnatural death’ of Professor Jason Arday at his southern home Londonheard a judicial inquiry.
Professor Arday was found ‘unresponsive’ by relatives at his home in Battersea, south London, on the afternoon of August 14, London’s Inner South Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday.
Despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead and… Metropolitan Police said the scene was not suspicious, the inquest was told.
The 41-year-old has resigned as professor of educational sociology at the University of Amsterdam University of Cambridge earlier this month after facing intense scrutiny over plagiarism allegations.
Senior coroner Dr Julian Morris said: ‘Initial investigations, as I await the various reports, have given me reason to suspect that Professor Arday died of an unnatural death 12 days ago.
‘It follows that I must open an investigation. I will provide further guidance to the coroner.’
Members of Prof Arday’s family watched the proceedings via video link, the inquest heard.
On Tuesday his family said they were ‘deeply moved by the extraordinary support’ they had received after a fundraiser in his memory raised £224,000.
An investigation has been launched into the death of Professor Jason Arday at his south London home
Sir Patrick Vernon, who played a leading role in the successful campaign to establish a national Windrush Day, set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding page following Prof Arday’s death to help support the academic’s family – raising £224,474 from more than 7,900 donations.
In a post on the page on Tuesday, Prof Arday’s family said: ‘We are deeply moved by the extraordinary support we have received.
“The response to this appeal reflects the number of people whose lives were touched by our beloved Jason and the affection, respect and admiration in which he was held.
“Jason dedicated his life and career to advancing education, increasing participation, addressing race and inequality, and standing up for autism and neurodiversity.
‘It means a lot to us that so many people want to celebrate his life and remember the difference he made to others.
‘We continue to mourn the loss of our beloved son, partner, father, brother, uncle and friend. We hope you understand our need for time and space as we process this devastating loss and consider how best to move forward.”
The fundraiser was closed to donations on Monday at the family’s request after passing £224,000, with Sir Patrick saying the money will be used to provide financial and practical support to the family, as well as covering funeral and memorial costs.
Sir Patrick was one of several public figures, including Green Party leader Zack Polanski and crossbench peer Lord Simon Woolley, who signed an open letter in support of Prof Arday.
Prof Arday’s memoirs, Great And Unfortunate Things, will be published in Britain on Thursday.
Simon & Schuster announced Monday that the book will be released as planned, with his family saying, “It is only right that we honor his wishes.”
Accusations of plagiarism were initially leveled against Prof Arday, who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, by academic Nathan Cofnas.
Mr Cofnas, who has advocated ‘racial realism’, was suspended from his position at Ghent University last week.
The Belgian university announced that a preliminary disciplinary investigation had been launched after saying that Prof Arday’s death should “provoke food for thought”, adding that the institution “stands against discrimination, hatred and racism”.
