The 50-year-old, who was the Dean of Chapel at King's College and the university's director of studies in theology and religion, died from heart failure brought on by asphyxiation at his house near Cambridge. As dean, he gave readings at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – featuring the world-famous King's College Chapel Choir – which is held on Christmas Eve every year and broadcast to an audience of millions around the globe. Paramedics and police were called to his home in Great Shelford on Thursday afternoon but efforts to resuscitate him failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Cambridgeshire police said there were no suspicious circumstances and the case had been passed to the coroner. A family friend said his death was thought to be suicide. A spokesman for the local force said Mr Thompson had been under investigation by Strathclyde police over allegations of indecency. A spokesman for the Scottish force said that in December 2007 it had passed a report to the procurator fiscal – who is the prosecutor in courts north of the border – which was still being considered. The spokesman said the allegations related to "alleged historical indecencies". A source confirmed they were of a sexual nature. Mr Thompson's wife, Ann, said in a statement: "He was a wonderful, warm man who gave himself to everyone without sparing himself. "He was loved by young and old in all walks of life and that has been demonstrated by the hundreds of cards and messages that have been received."Cambridge theologian Rev Ian Thompson found dead amid allegations of 'indecency'
Cambridge University theologian, Rev Ian Thompson, who was being investigated over allegations of indecency, has been found dead at his home.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
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