Former Autonomy Executive Dies in Tragic Running Accident

Stephen Chamberlain, former vice-president of finance at Autonomy and co-defendant of Mike Lynch in a recent US fraud trial, has died following a car accident in Cambridgeshire. The incident occurred on August 17, 2024, while Chamberlain was out running.

According to the inquest held in Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, Chamberlain sustained a "traumatic head injury" after being struck by a vehicle on the A1123 road. Caroline Jones, the area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, reported that the collision happened when a car crested a humpback bridge between Stretham and Wicken, encountering Chamberlain as he crossed the road between two parts of a bridleway.

The 52-year-old executive was approximately six miles into his run, which had begun in the cathedral city of Ely, as indicated by data from the fitness app Strava. Following the accident, Chamberlain was transported to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where his death was officially confirmed on August 20, 2024, at 3:50 AM.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary has stated that the driver, a 49-year-old woman from Haddenham, remained at the scene and is assisting with inquiries. The police investigation is ongoing, and no further date has been set for the inquest to resume.

Chamberlain's untimely death occurred just two days before Mike Lynch's superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily, adding a somber note to recent events surrounding the former Autonomy executives.

"He was an amazing individual whose only goal in life was to help others in any way possible. He made a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed but forever in the hearts of his loved ones."

The accident took place mere months after Chamberlain and Lynch were acquitted of fraud charges related to the sale of Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011. Autonomy, a British software company founded by Lynch in 1996 and based in Cambridge, was acquired by HP for $11 billion. However, HP later wrote down Autonomy's value by $8.8 billion and requested the US Department of Justice to investigate potential fraud.

In June 2024, following a trial at a federal court in San Francisco, California, both Chamberlain and Lynch were found not guilty of artificially inflating Autonomy's revenues and making false statements to auditors, analysts, and regulators.

Gary Lincenberg, Chamberlain's lawyer, praised his client's character, stating, "He was a courageous man with unparalleled integrity. We deeply miss him. Steve fought successfully to clear his good name at trial earlier this year, and his good name now lives on through his wonderful family."

As the community mourns the loss of Stephen Chamberlain, the Cambridgeshire Constabulary continues to appeal for witnesses to the collision, seeking to gather all relevant information about this tragic incident.