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Shane Todd hanged himself, no foul play involved: Coroner

SINGAPORE — American researcher Shane Todd’s death was suicide by hanging himself and no foul play was involved in his death State Coroner Chay Yuen Fatt ruled today (July 8).

Family of American researcher Shane Todd, Rick and Mary Todd leaving the Subordinate Courts..Photo: Ernest Chua. 14 May 2013.

Family of American researcher Shane Todd, Rick and Mary Todd leaving the Subordinate Courts..Photo: Ernest Chua. 14 May 2013.

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SINGAPORE — American researcher Shane Todd’s death was suicide by hanging himself and no foul play was involved in his death State Coroner Chay Yuen Fatt ruled today (July 8).

The verdict concludes the 10-day coroner’s inquiry in which a total of 73 witnesses were called, with 44 taking the stand.

Todd, 31, was found hanged in his apartment in Chinatown on June 24 last year. His parents, Rick and Mary Todd, believe he was murdered over sensitive research work done at the Institute of Microelectronics (IME), where he was employed.

However, evidence showed that Todd who had a history of depression had visited suicide websites which included sites on how to tie a hangman’s noose between March 10 and June 23 last year.

State Coroner Chay said today that there was no medical evidence that Todd was murdered, and that the physical evidence pointed to his death as a suicide.

There had also been no evidence of foul play possible suspect, and no “credible motive” for murder, Senior State Counsel Tai Wei Shyong had said in closing submissions last month.

The Todd family were not present in court but their former lawyers Ms Gloria James-Civetta, Mr Peter Ong, Mr Amarjit Singh and Mr Foo Cheow Ming were in court today for the verdict and will relay it to the family. Representatives of the United States Embassy were also present.

The Todds walked out of the 10-day Inquiry in May after a request for more time to examine evidence by Luis Alejandro Andro Montes — who is said to have seen Todd the day before he was found hanged — was rejected.

His parents claimed they had never met Mr Montes and discharged their five lawyers at the time.

Mr Montes later testified that he had met Todd’s parents at a gathering shortly after Todd’s passing.

The State Coroner also said today that he was satisfied that Mr Montes was not a “surprise witness”. The US Embassy in Singapore has called the inquiry into Shane Todd's death "comprehensive, fair and transparent."

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