Redacted report leaves questions over researcher’s death after federal interview

A heavily redacted police report has deepened uncertainty surrounding the death of Wang Danhao, a 31-year-old Chinese semiconductor researcher at the University of Michigan. Wang spoke with two Department of Homeland Security officers outside his Ann Arbor home on March 18. The interview lasted about 10 minutes before continuing for roughly 30 minutes at a nearby coffee shop.

The next night, Wang arrived at the university’s GG Brown Building appearing to have been crying. Shortly after meeting a colleague, he attempted to take his own life by falling and died in hospital about two hours later. A 39-page university police report reviewed by the South China Morning Post withholds the officers’ names, the reason they approached Wang and important details of their conversation.

His estate’s lawyer, Mingwei Yan, said the extent of the redactions left the family with few answers and appeared intentional. Police found a Homeland Security business card and a note bearing the words “Customs + Border Protection” and an official’s name in Wang’s backpack. The report also omits the name of lawyer John Minock, although Minock had previously said he spoke with Wang for 2½ hours before his death.

The report says police found no suicide note and no initial indication in Wang’s messages that he was suicidal or distressed. DHS later obtained a warrant for Wang’s electronic devices. The same officers also questioned a colleague at an airport months later.

Wang had accepted a faculty position in China and planned to marry. His colleagues described his semiconductor research as highly accomplished.