A molecular biologist who was studying the coronavirus was found dead in his Pennsylvania home, the victim of an apparent murder-suicide.

Philly Voice reports that Dr. Bing Liu, 37, was found shot to death at his home outside of Pittsburgh.  Another male, 46-year-old Hao Gu, was found dead in a vehicle of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Police sources reportedly told Action News 4 that the two men knew each other, but the precise nature of the relationship remains unknown.

Dr. Liu was an assistant research professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He reportedly worked in computational and systems biology and had recently focused his studies on the coronavirus — and may have been on the edge of a breakthrough.

“Bing was on the verge of making very significant findings toward understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie SARS-CoV-2 infection and the cellular basis of the following complications,” the department said in a statemen on its website.

“We will make an effort to complete what he started in an effort to pay homage to his scientific excellence.”

“His loss will be felt throughout the entire scientific community,” the statement continued, according to Philly Voice. “Please keep his family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts.”

This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.

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