- FREMONT -- A research scientist
found dead Friday morning in front of the biochemical firm he worked for
apparently died after inhaling a combination of potassium cyanide and acid,
police said.
-
- An employee arriving at Ciphergen Biosystems Inc., 6611
Dumbarton Circle, about 6:20 a.m. found the 29-year-old man, whom he worked
with, lying on the sidewalk in front of the west entrance, and immediately
called authorities, Sgt. Jeff Swadener said.
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- Early indications are that he died after inhaling fumes
he created by mixing an acid with powder potassium cyanide, said Detective
Bill Veteran. There were no signs of foul play, he said. Fire officials
said cyanide attacks the central nervous system.
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- It is unknown how long the man was lying in front of
the firm, but company records show he last entered the building about 11
p.m. Thursday, said Geoff LaTendresse, a Fremont Fire Department division
chief.
-
- Officials at the scene said they found a suicide note
inside the building but didn't know why the man, whose identity has not
been released pending notification of next of kin, decided to mix the two
agents.
-
- The chemicals used in the apparent suicide are used in
small amounts in some research projects the firm does, said Jim Shunk,
a human resources director for the company. He was unsure of the chemicals'
availability or how much was kept at the site.
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- Ciphergen is a biotechnology company that studies proteins
and produces protein chips for cancer research.
-
- "We lost a very valuable person, employee and co-worker
this morning," Shunk said, noting that he had no idea why this happened.
"He was very much appreciated."
-
- Emergency crews evacuated the business Friday morning
after employees told them a 25-gram vial or bottle of powder potassium
cyanide was missing.
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- Only 50 of the 175 employees who work at the site made
it to work by the time of the evacuation, and they all were told to go
home for the day, LaTendresse said.
-
- Although authorities aren't positive of the man's cause
of death, they said a toxicology report done through the Alameda County
Coroner's Bureau should tell them if it was found in his system.
-
- The findings of the report may not be known for up to
six weeks, Veteran said.
-
- For more than four hours, authorities remained at the
scene searching for the container of potassium cyanide.
-
- Two hazardous materials crew members wearing bright yellow-green
suits looked on the property, through a black Volkswagen Bug near the body
and nearby Dumpsters. They found the vial in a Dumpster on the other side
of the parking lot, Veteran said.
-
- LaTendresse said most of the action at the scene Friday
morning was precautionary, and as long as the vial was found, there wasn't
an immediate threat to the public.
-
- ©2004 by MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
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