Police launch probe into iPhone 'suicide'

By Chen Qian  |   2009-7-22  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

POLICE are investigating the alleged suicide of a Foxconn employee suspected of stealing an iPhone prototype in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

Sun Danyong, 25, jumped from the 12th floor of a building last Thursday, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

Sun had been detained and beaten by a man surnamed Gu, a senior official of Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group's security department, one of Sun's friends told the newspaper.

Sun had chatted online with the friend and said he was being investigated after an iPhone went missing at the company. "But I didn't steal it. I never steal anything," Sun reportedly said.

According to Sun's girlfriend, three company officials went to Sun's home to search it on July 15, but they didn't find the iPhone and left with Sun.

She received a short message from Sun last Thursday, saying he had some trouble and asked her not to tell his family, the report said.

Police say they will first determine whether Sun was murdered and then investigate Foxconn's treatment of Sun.

Gu has been suspended.