HowStuffWorks founder Marshall Brain found dead amid claims of retaliation over NCSU ethics complaints
Daniel Levi
Posted On December 4, 2024
Marshall Brain, founder of HowStuffWorks.com and a well-known tech educator, was found dead in his office at North Carolina State University (NCSU) just hours after sending a detailed email alleging retaliation for filing ethics complaints. Brain, who also directed NCSU’s Engineering Entrepreneurs Program, died on November 20, the week before Thanksgiving.
Campus police discovered Brain’s body in Engineering Building II on Centennial Campus at 7 a.m. after his wife requested a welfare check. According to police reports, Brain’s death was ruled a suicide. It marks a tragic end to the life of an innovator who was deeply committed to educating others and advancing technology.
A Legacy of Innovation
Marshall Brain launched HowStuffWorks.com in 1998 as a personal project to make complex technical topics accessible to the general public. The site grew into a widely recognized platform, eventually being acquired by Discovery Communications for $250 million in 2007. Beyond his work on the website, Brain expanded his reach through books like The Engineering Book and shows on the National Geographic Channel. His appearances on programs like Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show cemented his status as a beloved educator.
Brain was also known for his forward-thinking essays, including Robotic Nation, which predicted the labor market challenges posed by automation and robotics. Published in 2003, the essay gained attention for its warnings about massive unemployment if solutions weren’t developed to offset job losses.
Brain’s early exposure to technology came through his father’s work on NASA’s lunar lander and Atlanta’s MARTA transit system. He earned degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and NCSU, respectively.
A Career of Impact
Brain joined NCSU as a professor in 2012 after years of involvement with the university. Known for his dedication to teaching, he directed the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program, mentoring students and inspiring future innovators. Brain was celebrated on campus, earning titles like Distinguished Alumnus and induction into NCSU’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers.
Kevin Barry, a former student and advisor to NCSU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, described Brain as “a cornerstone of entrepreneurship at NC State,” highlighting his passion for helping students succeed.
The Final Hours
Just hours before his death, Brain sent an email to more than 30 individuals, including university staff and outside contacts. In the message, he alleged retaliation for filing ethics complaints through the university’s EthicsPoint system. According to Brain, the complaints stemmed from an August dispute over the use of meeting spaces for the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program. He claimed the fallout led to his termination on October 29, though his employer publicly described his departure as a retirement effective December 2025.
“What got us to this point? The short answer is that I witnessed wrongdoing on campus, and I tried to report it,” Brain wrote in an email obtained by Ars Technica. “What came back was a sickening nuclear bomb of retaliation the likes of which could not be believed,” Brain wrote in the email. He stated that the accused person “excommunicated me from my department for reporting my concerns to her.”
Brain detailed how university administrators allegedly isolated him, stopped recommending students for his program, and took disciplinary action against him. He described the experience as “demoralizing, depressing, humiliating, and unjust.”
A Call for Answers
Brain’s death has left colleagues and students in shock, with calls for greater transparency. Dror Baron, a professor at NCSU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, posted on X (formerly Twitter), urging an independent investigation. So far, the university has not publicly addressed Brain’s death or his allegations.
Former students have expressed frustration with the lack of acknowledgment from NCSU. “There hasn’t been any recognition of mistakes, failed systems, or even a celebration of Marshall’s achievements,” said Brandon Kashani, a former student who spoke with Brain days before his death.
Brain is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann, their four children, and their family dog. A Celebration of Life event will be held on December 8 in Cary, North Carolina, to honor his legacy.
Unanswered Questions
Brain’s death raises critical questions about the handling of ethics complaints and workplace culture at NCSU. His allegations of retaliation and his subsequent death highlight the need for institutions to ensure fair treatment and transparent processes for whistleblowers. For those who knew him, Marshall Brain’s life will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to education, innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge.
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