BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
A grieving family and over 100 supporters gathered today (Sept. 17) in front of Palo Alto City Hall to call for a full investigation into the death of a researcher at NVDIA, which is on the leading edge of the AI industry.
“We don’t have the answers for the mysterious circumstances that ultimately led to his death,” said the father of Irfan Al-Hussaini, 32, of Palo Alto.
Police responded to a report of a possible suicide by Al-Hussaini at 1850 Sand Hill Road on July 22. He died at Stanford Hospital eight days later.
Al-Hussaini’s wife Fabia Farlin Athena told police that Al-Hussaini hanged himself from a cabinet in their kitchen, according to the family.
But the family is claiming Athena was abusive, and the timeline doesn’t make sense.
“He believed life was the most precious thing from God … He would never take his own life,” Al-Hussaini’s sister said.
Al-Hussaini gave a presentation on his research to 15 coworkers on the morning of his death, and then he sent a message asking for the day off because Athena was sick, his sister said.
Twenty minutes later, Al-Hussaini’s wife called 911. He didn’t leave a suicide note, his sister said.
Doctors said Al-Hussaini had been deprived of oxygen for 30 to 60 minutes before paramedics arrived, according to his sister.
Al-Hussaini’s sister suggested that Athena had sent the message asking for the day off, and she said police haven’t fully investigated because Al-Hussaini is a man.
“A man can be a victim of abuse. Ifran’s size or gender shouldn’t make the evidence less worthy of investigation.”
Police Lt. Nicolas Martinez said the case is still under investigation, pending a report from the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner.
“We have received materials from the family and others, and our review and investigation is ongoing,” he said in an email. “At this time neither the police department nor the medical examiner have identified any evidence that the death was the result of foul play.”
Athena said she’s devastated by the loss of her husband. “While grieving, I have also been subjected to sustained harassment, false and damaging statements, and attacks affecting both my personal and professional life,” she said in an email today.
Athena works as a fellow in electrical engineering at Stanford. She said the mistreatment began after she married Al-Hussaini, when his family made inappropriate and sexist comments toward her.
“Since my husband’s death, the situation has escalated significantly, with misinformation being spread about me and repeated attempts to damage my reputation,” she said. “Given the family’s resources and influence, the impact has been particularly serious and has added tremendous distress during an already unbearable time.”
Al-Hussaini’s family has hired former prosecutor Tony Brass as their attorney.
Brass accused Athena of manipulating and isolating Al-Hussaini at today’s press conference.
The family, who is of Bangladeshi descent, said Al-Hussaini was wearing an Oura ring, and they want police to get the data.
But Brass said police have stopped answering the family’s questions.
The family was backed by a large group of supporters, some who came from out of state. A petition calling for more investigation has 15,169 signatures.
“What immediate steps did his wife take when she found him ‘unconscious’? Did Irfan actually take his own life? If he actually did, then MOST importantly what pushed him to do it?” the petition asks.
Be the first to comment