Singapore says late American scientist was ‘depressed’

SINGAPORE: A US high-tech researcher whose family claims he was murdered in Singapore was under treatment for depression and left suicide notes before he was found hanged, a public inquiry was told yesterday.
Senior state counsel Tai Wei Shyong, opening a coroner’s inquest into the death of electronics engineer Shane Todd, said there were no signs of foul play when his body was found in his apartment last year.
Todd’s parents, who are taking part in the inquiry, believe he was killed in connection with his work for a Singapore research institute with alleged links to a Chinese firm accused of involvement in international espionage.
Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecom giant, and Todd’s former employer, the state-linked Institute of Microelectronics (IME), have denied collaborating on any project involving Todd, who was 31 when he died.
Todd’s body was discovered by a Filipino nurse Shirley Sarmiento, on June 24, 2012, setting off a saga that reached the highest levels of the US and Singapore governments.
Police found the body hanging from an improvised noose attached to the top of a bathroom door, Tai said. “They did not observe any signs of foul play,” he said.
Investigators found a handwritten note with a password to Todd’s laptop computer, which revealed messages to his family, friends and girlfriend, Tai said. He reproduced one note addressed to “Mom and Dad” saying: “I hope that you understand that I am sorry for the pain this causes. I just know how much of a burden I will be to you in the future so I feel it is better to do this now rather than wait until I have caused more damage.”
Further forensic tests of Todd’s laptop revealed an Internet search history showing repeated visits to suicide and depression-related websites, Tai said.
Todd’s parents Rick and Mary listened calmly in the packed courtroom.
Todd’s family said in media interviews that their son in telephone calls expressed fears for his life because he was afraid he was being asked to compromise US security in his job. After strong lobbying by the Todd family in Washington, the Singapore police invited the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to help probe his death.
State counsel Tai told journalists after yesterday’s session adjourned that the FBI has “provided a report which I think will be important to deciding the issues at hand.” He gave no details.