Research Professor Who Was Working On Covid-19 Killed in an Apparent Murder-Suicide

Written by @pistolwhippedya

The University of Pittsburgh mourns the loss of “prolific researcher and admired colleague” Bing Liu, A 37-year-old research assistant professor who, according to CNN, was “on the verge of making very significant findings” about COVID-19.

“Bing was on the verge of making very significant findings toward understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie SARS-CoV-2 infection and the cellular basis of the following complications,” the statement said.

On May 2, Ross Township police reported the victim was shot and killed inside his townhouse located on Elm Court. He suffered gunshots wounds to his head, neck, torso, and extremity. USA Today did not disclose at the time of the report how or why authorities were called to the scene, but an hour after discovering Liu’s body, they located Hao Gu, 46, dead in his vehicle on the nearby street Charlemagne Circle. The suspect appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

It is believed that Gu killed Liu before going to his vehicle and committing suicide. Authorities also believe the two knew one another, and the incident is “the result of a lengthy dispute regarding an intimate partner.”

Detective Sergeant Brian Kohlhepp released the following statement, “We have found zero evidence that this tragic event has anything to do with employment at the University of Pittsburgh, any work being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and the current health crisis affecting the United States and the world.”

The case is now in the hands of federal authorities due to the fact neither involved were US citizens. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Liu was a research associate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He earned his Ph.D. in computational science from the National University of Singapore and studied as a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University. He will be remembered by his colleagues as an “excellent mentor.”

The University released a statement saying it “is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Bing Liu, a prolific researcher and admired colleague at Pitt. The University extends our deepest sympathies to Liu’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”

CNN reports the University has pledged to complete Liu’s research “in an effort to pay homage to his scientific excellence.”