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SALT LAKE CITY — An accountant charged with stealing $1.3 million from the research company he once worked for has died of an apparent suicide.
Daniel Scott Richardson, 36, died Aug. 20, according to court documents and Unified police. A judge officially dismissed the case against him Monday, when he was set to appear for a scheduling court date.
In April, he was charged in 3rd District Court with making unauthorized transactions to the company totaling just under $1.3 million to pay for vacations, cars and personal bills. Court documents do not indicate if he entered a plea.
An Aug. 22 email from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office to the court states that Richardson had killed himself two days earlier. Police suspect the death was a suicide but are awaiting autopsy results to confirm a cause, said Unified police spokeswoman Melody Gray.
Richardson worked for Pegus Research Inc., a Salt Lake company that specializes in epidemiology and pharmacy-based research, from 2012-2016, according to charging documents.
An obituary remembers him as outgoing and family-focused, with an infectious laugh and a family that will miss him.
Richardson was not in jail at the time of his death and was participating in an ankle-monitoring program, said Salt Lake County Jail spokesman Kevin Hunter. In May, he waived extradition, agreeing to return to Utah from another state, court records show.
A message left with his attorney, Michael Sikora, was not immediately returned Thursday.
Crisis Hotlines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-691-5433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: namiut.org
- Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsputah.com
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Warning signs of suicide
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.What to do if you see warning signs of suicide
- Do not leave the person alone
- Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
- Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
