Stephen Chamberlain, a former co-defendant of Mike Lynch in a high-profile US fraud trial, has tragically passed away after being struck by a car while out running in Cambridgeshire. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, with Chamberlain subsequently placed on life support, according to Reuters.
Chamberlain, the former vice-president of finance at the British software company Autonomy, was pronounced dead following the collision on Newmarket Road in Stretham. His lawyer, Gary Lincenberg, described him as a "courageous man with unparalleled integrity" who had successfully cleared his name.
Cambridgeshire police had launched an appeal for witnesses following the incident, confirming that a man in his 50s had been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Chamberlain and Lynch were co-defendants in a protracted legal battle stemming from the sale of Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in 2011 for $11 billion (£7 billion). The pair faced allegations of fraud and conspiracy, accused of inflating the company's value prior to the sale. Both were acquitted of all 15 charges by a jury in San Francisco in June 2023.
Following his departure from Autonomy in 2012, Chamberlain held the position of Chief Operating Officer for cybersecurity firm Darktrace and volunteered as Finance Director for League One football club Cambridge United.
This tragic news comes just days after Mike Lynch was reported missing following a superyacht sinking off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm. One person, believed to be the vessel's chef, was confirmed dead, while six others, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, remained unaccounted for as of Monday evening.
The passing of Stephen Chamberlain is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Autonomy saga, a complex legal battle that has spanned over a decade. His loss is a significant blow to his family, friends, and the wider business community.