A University of Pittsburgh researcher that was on the verge of understanding how the coronavirus works was found dead inside his house.

The news was first reported by WTAE, a local ABC affiliate.

37-year-old Bing Liu, a University of Pittsburgh researcher, was found dead inside his house at Pittsburgh-area on Saturday.

It is said that a man was seen outside to his car and shot himself.

Hao Gu, the 46-year-old man, the suspected gunman, is not related to the research of Liu, but it is believed that they are known to each other.

The police said that the death of Liu appears to be a homicide but a motive remains unclear.

Ross Township Detective Brian Kolhepp said:

We haven’t had anything at this point that has come to the investigation that has anything to do with Mr. Liu’s employment or his research.

Liu was a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine.

The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine said that Liu was an outstanding and prolific researcher who was nearing completion of important work related with the novel coronavirus.

In a statement that was released by University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine, they said:

Bing was on the verge of making very significant findings toward understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie SARS-CoV-2 infection and the cellular basis of the following complications. We will make an effort to complete what he started in an effort to pay homage to his scientific excellence. His loss will be felt throughout the entire scientific community.

An investigation about the case is ongoing.