Arday's death came one week after he resigned from the University of Cambridge, where he became the youngest Black professor when he was hired as a sociology professor in 2023.
Police were called to a report of an unresponsive man inside a London property on Friday, Aug. 14, NBC News reports, citing London's Metropolitan Police. The man, whom NBC identified as Arday, was pronounced dead at the scene. His death was considered sudden but was not believed to be suspicious, according to the outlet.
University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice issued a statement Friday following news of his death: “We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Just before Arday's death, Cambridge announced it had opened an investigation following new information about his academic qualifications and honorary appointments, the university said. Separately, the university said it was handling several complaints of academic misconduct under its Misconduct in Research policy.
"While we are fully aware of the public commentary and concerns around this matter, it remains vital that any process is thorough and adheres to both University policies and employment law," a statement reads. "We also fully recognise that there is a person at the centre of this situation, and we continue to provide support to him."
Cambridge said allegations of plagiarism involving Arday's thesis and some journal publications had been investigated by Liverpool John Moores University and the journals involved. The university said its procedure calls for allegations of academic misconduct to be investigated by the institution where the research was conducted because that institution has access to the information needed for a full investigation. Cambridge also said Jesus College planned to take its own steps regarding some of the matters.
Arday's family told CBS News he had endured years of attacks and efforts to discredit him after joining Cambridge University. They said the mounting scrutiny and what they described as misinformation had become overwhelming, while remembering him as a devoted father, partner, brother, uncle and son.
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