Mike Adams, a 55-year-old criminology and sociology professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, died by suicide on July 23, 2020. Deputies found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home during a welfare check.

 

Mike Adams, a 55-year-old criminology and sociology professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, died by suicide on July 23, 2020. Deputies found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home during a welfare check. His death followed intense public backlash and a retirement agreement with the university over controversial social media posts.

 

Background and Career

• Worked as a professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
• Transitioned from a registered Democrat to an outspoken conservative political columnist and commentator.
• Won a notable 2014 First Amendment lawsuit against his university after being denied a promotion to full professor.

Final Controversy and Retirement

• Sparked widespread backlash in May 2020 over controversial and racially charged tweets concerning pandemic lockdown restrictions.
• Faced an online petition signed by over 60,000 people demanding his removal.
• Reached a $504,000 retirement settlement with the university in June 2020, set to take effect August 1, 2020.

Investigation

• Discovered by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office after friends requested a welfare check due to uncharacteristic stress and unreturned calls.
• Investigators confirmed no foul play and officially ruled the death a suicide.