Richard Descoings, director of the Institute of Political Studies of Paris, was found dead on Tuesday in his New York hotel room. Mr. Descoings, 53, was in New York for a United Nations-sponsored forum of university presidents, according to a statement from the institute, which is known by its nickname, Sciences Po. The Associated Press reported that while there were no obvious signs of foul play, the police were awaiting a medical examiner’s report about the cause of his death. President Nicolas Sarkozy lauded Mr. Descoings for opening the doors of the once-elitist institute to underprivileged students.
(Updated, 9:45 p.m., 4/4/2012) An autopsy performed Wednesday required further study, the AP reported. The medical examiner’s office planned to perform toxicology and other tests.
