Disgraced university doctor accused of raping unconscious students found dead

05 October 2023 , 23:20

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Dr. George Tyndall listens during a 2019 arraignment at Los Angeles Superior court before his recent death (Image: AP)

A disgraced university doctor accused of penetrating unconscious students has been found dead at his home.

Los Angeles police launched a criminal investigation into accusations against George Tyndall, former doctor at the University of Southern California. Officials said the investigation would have international scope as they seek input from up to 10,000 women who were treated by Dr Tyndall at USC's student health clinic.

Now, police have confirmed the 76-year-old was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday ahead of a trial set for next year. Lt. Kelsie Weber of the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s office said mo autopsy would be performed.

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The rape-accused medic was found by a friend who visited him at his home after he failed to answer her calls. She found Tyndall in bed and unresponsive, reports the Los Angeles Times. John Manly, one of the lead attorneys in the civil lawsuits, said: "He got away with it. Spent almost no days in jail. Caused untold suffering to hundreds, if not thousands, of students at USC...I’m at a loss to explain this to my clients.'

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Tyndall’s defense attorney, Leonard Levine, said: "From the very beginning, Dr. Tyndall had adamantly denied every one of the charges against him. All he ever wanted was his day in court, which he was confident would end in his complete exoneration. Now, neither he nor his accusers will get that, and that is very unfortunate for everyone involved."

Dr. George Tyndall, 72, confers with his attorney Andrew Flier during an arraignment at Los Angeles Superior court in 2019 (AP)

In interviews with the Los Angeles Times, Tyndall had denied any wrongdoing and defended his medical exams before he left the role in 2017. The university has also previously acknowledged failing to properly act on at least eight complaints made against Tyndall between 2000 and 2014.

Several former patients filed civil lawsuits, and one accusation made in a sworn declaration that was made public in 2018 dates back to 1991. Following the accusations, 200 of the university's faculty members called for the resignation of USC President C.L. Max Nikias, and more than 2,200 students, alumni and others at USC signed a similar petition online before he stepped down.

The entrance to the Engemann Student Health Center on the campus of the University of Southern California (USC) is seen in Los Angeles, (AFP/Getty Images)

Tyndall resigned from the university after an internal inquiry found that some of his examination practices were beyond accepted medical standards and that he had harassed patients. A hotline set up by USC has received nearly 400 reports from patients, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

The Chinese government has also voiced "deep concern" over reports that many of Tyndall's alleged victims were students from China.

Abigail O'Leary