A researcher from China, affiliated with the University of Michigan, has reportedly ended his life following what has been described as ‘hostile questioning’ by federal authorities.
Danhao Wang, an assistant research scientist in the College of Engineering, tragically died on March 20 after a fall on the university’s premises.
Authorities have indicated that they are treating his death as a ‘possible act of self-harm.’ The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has alleged that Wang’s suicide followed ‘hostile questioning’ by U.S. agents.
In a statement that refrained from naming Wang directly, it was asserted that the postdoctoral researcher took his life after enduring aggressive interrogation by American law enforcement.
The statement further criticized these actions, questioning the validity and consequences of what it termed unwarranted U.S. interrogations and harassment targeting Chinese scholars and students.
Furthermore, the statement urged the United States to conduct a ‘comprehensive investigation’ and demanded a ‘responsible explanation’ be provided to both Chinese authorities and Wang’s family.
Police said that an individual was found inside the atrium in the UM George G. Brown Building in Ann Arbor on March 19 and he was later pronounced dead.
Karen Thole, College of Engineering Dean, later identified the researcher as Wang in an email to the whole college, seen by MLive.
Danhao Wang, pictured here, died on March 20 inside the university after falling to his death
A statement, which did not name Wang, said that the postdoctoral scholar took his life ‘after being subjected to hostile questioning by U.S. law enforcement’
In it, she said: ‘Dr. Wang was a promising and brilliant young mind, whose research into wide bandgap III-nitride semiconductor materials and devices published in Nature stands as a landmark, uncovering for the first time the switching and charge compensation mechanisms of emerging ferroelectric nitrides.
‘His loss is felt deeply not only by those who knew him here at the University, but also everyone who understands his potential to have contributed to breakthroughs in science that would have positively impacted people around the world.
‘This is an active police investigation and we have no further information to share regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
‘In the age of AI and misinformation in unfortunate situations like these, incorrect information can spread quickly, and we must let the investigators complete their work and refrain from speculation until the facts are known and made available.’
After his death, a university workers’ union advised all of its members to not speak with federal authorities.
According to a research profile for Wang, he previously worked for the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui province.
In a post to X, the Consulate General of China in Chicago added: ‘The incident occurred at a U.S. university within our consular jurisdiction, and we are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking death.
‘China solemnly calls on the U.S. to carry out a full investigation, give the family of the victim and the Chinese side a responsible explanation, stop any discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese students and scholars in the U.S., and stop imposing wrongful convictions.’
Police said they are investigating his death as a ‘possible act of self-harm’
PWang was found inside the atrium in the UM George G. Brown Building in Ann Arbor on March 19 and he was later pronounced dead
The death of Wang followed the university’s president Domenico Grasso, pictured here, appearing before a House Committee to address concerns over Chinese espionage on American campuses
His death came just days after University of Michigan’s interim President Domenico Grasso appeared before a House Committee on Education and workforce.
He appeared to address concerns that there was Chinese espionage being carried out within American universities.
Grasso told lawmakers that foreign students were crucial to the school and called on the continued need for partnerships between the university and foreign nations.
In a statement he added: ‘We stand committed to protecting the interests and security of the United States.
‘This commitment is illustrated by our decision to end a relationship with a university in China that is seen as a potential threat to America’s interests.
‘We made this decision after discussions with this Committee and the House Select Committee on the CCP.’
