Columbia University Professor of Engineering Found Dead at 43

A professor of engineering at Columbia University died in a hotel room last Thursday. Police reported the case as a suicide. He was 43.

Professor Nayyar Perwez Shahabuddin’s body was found in the Days Inn on Route 59 in Nanuet in Rockland County, New York, which is on his route home from work. He had been missing since last Wednesday night.

The Clarkstown Police Department, which discovered the body, refused to comment on the case, and the death is still being investigated. However, Rockport’s The Journal News reported on Monday that police had found a book called “Final Exit,” a euthanasia and suicide manual, in the hotel room, as well as other evidence on a computer which indicated suicide.

The cause of death seems to be suffocation from helium.

Shahabuddin’s family vehemently denied that this was suicide, instead telling the Journal that they suspected “foul play” but would not elaborate.

Shahabuddin was a member of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. He was made a full professor in January of 2004, and won the engineering school’s Great Teacher award later that year. He was also awarded the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award by the school’s Alumni Association.

Columbia students were informed of his death by e-mail on Friday.

Faculty in his department were shocked by the death. The head of his department, Professor Guillermo Gallego, said that Shahbuddin was especially close to students and felt particularly responsible for them. His family called him very popular among students.

“It’s been a big shock to all of us. We’re very sad we’ve lost such a valuable member of the community,” Gallego said. “The fact he was so young absolutely makes it much more shocking.”

A prayer service was held on Saturday. A memorial service will follow in the spring.

Shahabuddin is survived by his wife Soofia, five sisters, and two children, ages 5 and 9.