Coroner's Inquiry Into US Researcher's Death "Comprehensive": Embassy

SINGAPORE, July 8 (Bernama) -- The Coroner's inquiry into the death of American Researcher, Dr. Shane Todd was comprehensive, fair, and transparent, says the US Embassy in Singapore. Earlier Monday, a Singapore judge, Chay Yuen Fatt ruled that Dr Todd committed suicide by hanging. In a statement, the embassy said officers from the Embassy attended the entire hearing and were with the Todd family during their time in Singapore. Ambassador David Adelman met with the Todd family in December 2012 and May 2013. "The death of Dr. Todd in June 2012 was a profound loss for his family, friends, and colleagues, and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them, the statement said. In accordance with Singapore law, a coroner’s inquiry was conducted to determine the cause of Dr. Todd’s death and the findings from that inquiry were released Monday. The embassy said the coroner heard testimony from a wide range of witnesses in open court and received evidence in the form of written statements and records. The Todd family was given the opportunity to participate in the hearing and was represented by experienced Singapore legal counsel, added the statement. Dr Todd, who was 31 years old, was found hanged in his Singapore apartment in June last year in an apparent suicide. The parents believe Dr Todd was murdered over his work for Singapore's Institute of Microelectronics. -- BERNAMA