The family of the Fudan University student who died during an academic exchange to the United States returned home Wednesday after the case was judged a suicide by US police.

Relatives brought back the ashes of Xu Zhen, a 26-year-old doctoral student at the university's medical college. They will hold a funeral at Xu's hometown of Shengzhou in neighboring Zhejiang Province.

The family, however, still holds strong doubts about the death.

"Obviously there are many unclear points in my brother's case, but we cannot afford to apply for legal action for further investigation," said Xu Jun, the victim's elder brother.

Xu was found hanging by bootlaces at his dorm in the University of Pittsburgh where he was sent for a two-year academic exchange on July 27. Sleeping pills were also detected in his body.

US police deemed the case a suicide and no compensation would be paid. The University of Pittsburgh will only compensate Xu's family for airfare and accommodation during their stay in the United States.

(Shanghai Daily August 19, 2004)