Stephen Chamberlain, the co-defendant of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch in a high-profile US fraud trial, has died after being struck by a car while running in Cambridgeshire.
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Chamberlain’s death comes as Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter remain missing following the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily.
Chamberlain was a key figure in the legal battle that ensued after Lynch’s software company Autonomy was sold to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion (£8.64 billion) in 2011.
Both Chamberlain and Lynch were acquitted of fraud charges earlier this year. Chamberlain, a former vice-president of finance at Autonomy, was also known for his role as chief operating officer at Darktrace, a cybersecurity firm co-founded by Lynch.
Gary Lincenberg, Chamberlain’s lawyer, described him as a “courageous man with unparalleled integrity” and expressed deep sorrow over his loss. “Steve fought successfully to clear his good name at trial earlier this year, and his good name now lives on through his wonderful family,” Lincenberg stated.
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Darktrace, where Chamberlain had been a substantial contributor in its early years, also paid tribute, noting that he was “much loved by his colleagues” and leaving behind many friends. The company extended its condolences to Chamberlain’s family.
As for Lynch, his disappearance follows the sinking of the Bayesian, a 56-meter yacht, during severe storms off the coast of Sicily. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 19 2024 and six people, including Lynch and his daughter, are still missing.
His disappearance has drawn significant attention, further compounded by the tragic loss of Chamberlain.
In addition to Lynch and his daughter, Morgan Stanley International Bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo are also among the missing.
The luxury yacht, carrying a mix of British, American, and Canadian nationals, encountered intense storms, leading to the disaster.
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