York researcher commits suicide

Lexee Hoene
York researcher Richard Dyde, 47, committed suicide on Dec. 9.
Police charged him for allegedly making and distributing child pornography after an international investigation linked him to 56 other men in a child pornography ring.
After being freed on bail for $10,000 on Dec 8, Dyde rode his bicycle to Woodbine Bridge and jumped 30 metres to his death in Taylor Creek Park the following morning.
Dyde joined York’s Centre for Vision Research in 2001, and had experience assisting in NASA-funded research. His colleagues saw him as an outgoing, sociable person who maintained a large social network.
According to a statement made to the Toronto Star by his lawyer, Heather Pringle, Dyde was ready to fight his charges and did not appear to be suicidal. After his death, Pringle stated she believes the relentless media coverage drove Dyde to his suicide.