How Daniel Feussner Died
By The Seattle times staff
SEATTLE — Daniel Feussner, a former Microsoft manager who died suddenly two months ago while facing federal charges for allegedly stealing $9 million in company software, had ingested ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in automobile antifreeze, the King County medical examiner has determined.
But the Medical Examiner's Office said it cannot say whether the 32-year-old, German-born computer expert committed suicide or accidentally ingested the poison.
Feussner died Feb. 7 after being rushed to a Bellevue hospital. He had been free on bail while awaiting trial on 15 counts of wire, mail and computer fraud in U.S. District Court. Prosecutors alleged Feussner financed a lavish lifestyle by obtaining software from the company and selling it. If convicted, he could have faced up to 20 years in prison.
This is such a SAD story--this guy had it made! Then blew it because of greed. The coroner said he isn't sure if the guy died from intentional or accidental ingestion of anti-freeze, and this page suggests he was poisoned. The circumstantial evidence leads me to believe he killed himself rather than face the consequences of his actions. What a waste....
Posted by: Joe on June 24, 2003 10:20 AM | permalinkHe bit the hand that fed him and his hand fed him a bite that killed him. Either way, death is always sad. No-one deserves to die and I hope that no-one is happy about this.
Posted by: Dudeatwar on June 24, 2003 11:21 AM | permalinkThis is another sad cyber-story of a wasted life ....
Posted by: The Geezer on June 24, 2003 11:24 AM | permalinkHeh.
Looks like this guy was visited at home late one night by some MS strongmen who "persuaded" him to have a little drink.
This is what happens when you try to screw with MS.
What's sad about all this is misplaced feelings. No one deserves to die, rightly so, but when one's actions cause a deeper resentment for ones life, it ends in a hurry without any reason. In a nutshell, live a prosperous life, live a fulfilling life, but don't pull the life out of living. It's quite tiring to hear of so many who choose to end this way rather than becoming a better person and learning from such worthless greed. Life goes on....and another lesson for those who choose to see the beauty in LIVING.
Posted by: Dave on June 24, 2003 4:28 PM | permalinkSounds like murder to me. I wonder what mask Bill wore. You know he wanted to be in on it. The only kick left after you've got all those billions is taking human lives directly. I'm surprised he had the restraint not to scarf down his liver. I bet he was damn near tempted.
Posted by: I'd rather not say. on June 25, 2003 9:33 AM | permalinkPlease, don't be retarded... MS had nothing to do with his death.
When you play in the high-rolling lifestyle, you rub shoulders with bad crowds and especially in the party scene he was in. You folks make me laugh automatically pointing the blame at MS, like this guy was some angel. Please, as tragic as it is, he brought this on to himself.
To bad he died, I would have split to canada.
They should have let him go with a warning.
Well, I don't see how you wouldn't take that to trial. It's not like he stole $100 of software. He stole millions and resold it.
And I'm pretty sure that'd be covered under Canada's extradition treaties with the US.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on July 16, 2003 4:14 PM | permalinkNo more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.