Death of Zurich finance chief 'likely' a suicide: Report

Swiss police Tuesday said the death of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd. Chief Financial Officer Pierre Wauthier was “likely'' a suicide, Reuters reported.

Mr. Wauthier, 53, was found dead in his home in Zug, a city about 18 miles from Zurich, on Monday.

“Based on the forensic institute's initial findings and evidence at his home, we can say the death of Pierre Wauthier is likely to be a suicide,'' Zug police spokesman Marcel Schlatter told Reuters.

Out of respect for his family, police would not reveal further details of the investigation.

Mr. Wauthier served in a variety of positions at Zurich between joining the company in 1996 and being appointed CFO of the insurance group in 2011.

“The Board of Directors, Group Executive Committee and all of our colleagues are deeply saddened and pass on our condolences to the family and relatives,” Zurich CEO Martin Senn said in a statement issued Monday.

Vibhu Sharma, controller of the Zurich Insurance Group, will assume the CFO role on an interim basis, the company said in the statement.