Professor Wiley’s death ruled accidental

On Jan. 14, 2002, the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office issued a report indicating that an accidental fall from a bridge into the Mississippi River was the probable cause of death for Professor Don C. Wiley. Wiley was first reported missing by the Memphis, Tenn., police on Nov. 16. His body was recovered from the Mississippi River on Dec. 20.

Jeremy R. Knowles, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, said, “I’m afraid that nothing can mitigate the sadness we feel about the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, Don Wiley. I do appreciate the information provided by the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office about the circumstances of his passing.”

A memorial fund has been established in Don Wiley’s honor. The fund will support graduate student research, education, and other special activities in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. To contribute, e-mail juliab@mcb.harvard.edu, call (617) 495-4448, or send a check (Don Wiley Memorial Fund) to: Julia Blackbourn, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA. A memorial service is being planned for late February.