Chinese semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao died at the University of Michigan last month, shortly after being questioned by US federal law enforcement.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China’s embassy in Washington, confirmed to the South China Morning Post in an email on Monday that Wang had taken his own life.

He called on the US government to conduct a thorough investigation, provide a responsible explanation to Wang’s family and the Chinese side, and end what he described as discriminatory law enforcement practices.

Wang, a postdoctoral research scientist at the university’s College of Engineering since 2022, died after a fall inside the George G. Brown Building on campus late on March 19.

University police responded to a report at around 11pm and later pronounced him dead, according to a public information officer with the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security.