Oxford in shock after physics don’s death
Oxford’s vice-chancellor has spoken of the university’s profound sadness after physics professor Steven Rawlings was found dead at the home of his friend, Dr Devinder Sivia.
Professor Steven Rawlings, a fellow and tutor at St Peter’s College was discovered at a property belonging to Mr Sivia in Southmoor, Oxfordshire, on Wednesday night.
Mr Sivia was arrested in connection with the death but was subsequently released on bail until April. Police have said Professor Rawlings’s death may be “a matter for a coroner’s inquest rather than a criminal court”.
They were called to the Southmoor bungalow on Wednesday night after reports of an incident at the property in which a man had been injured. Prof Rawlings, 50, was declared dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination was unable to establish a cause of death.
Detective Superintendent Rob Mason, from Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “We are liaising closely with Oxford University and it is apparent that he was well-respected and liked within the college and colleagues and students have been devastated by the news.”
He added: “It does appear that no one else was present at the address and we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”
Tributes to Professor Rawlings, who taught calculus and researched astrophysics, have flooded in.
The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Professor Andrew Hamilton, said in a statement: “The entire university community has been profoundly saddened and shocked by the tragic and untimely death of Professor Steve Rawlings.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”