An inquiry by the Coroner’s Court has determined that the American CEO of a Singapore-based bitcoin startup has indeed committed suicide, ruling out foul play.
The death of 28-year-old Autumn Radtke, chief executive of virtual currency exchange platform First Meta, attracted international attention due to the high-profile collapse of the Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange occurring not long before her suicide. She was found dead on Feb. 26 on the second-floor parapet above a rubbish collection centre at an apartment block at Cantonment Close.
According to a State Coroner’s assessment, Radtke was determined to end her life, showing numerous signs of suicidal inclination. Close-friends and colleagues have mentioned that she appeared stressed over her company’s financial troubles, even verbalising suicidal thoughts to them. Her personal laptop revealed her research in suicidal methods two days before her death. The New Paper reports that she broke down and shared her woes with her contractor the day before passing. Security camera footage showed her making three trips to the suicide site 12 hours before she ended her life.
Various media reports have pointed out her physical and mental stress over her startup business. The Tokyo-based Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange collapsed earlier in February this year due to a theft of more than $379.1 million, causing despair and anxiety for Radtke, who may have lost her faith in the virtual currency in addition to her swiftly deteriorating fiscal situation.
Photo: YouTube screengrab
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