Karl Slym, the managing director of Indian automaker Tata Motors, died after a fall from a hotel room in Bangkok, Sunday. Thailand police officials suspect suicide.
Slym's body was found by the hotel staff on the fourth floor. The 51-year-old British-born executive was staying with his wife in a room on the 22nd floor of the Shangri-La Hotel. He had attended a board meeting with the Thailand unit of Tata Motors, reported Reuters.
He was scheduled to return India, Sunday.
"We assume that it could be a suicide because we didn't find any sign of a struggle," Bangkok Police Colonel Sinlert Sukhum told The Wall Street Journal. "It is (suicide is) our initial assumption. We still have to conduct further investigation."
The police found a three-page note written in English. However, they declined to reveal any further information. They said they were waiting for autopsy results.
Slym joined the managing directorial post for India's largest auto maker in 2012. He was appointed in a bid to restore the domestic market-share of Tata motors . He was also leading to modify company's strategy to boost company sales by introducing new models and marketing initiatives.
"His death comes at a time when the company seems to be close to turning the corner. It comes before his efforts bear fruit. We should be able to see the results in a year or two," Anil Sharma, an analyst with researchers IHS Automotive, told the Indian newspaper Hindustan Times.
Tata Motors' shares dipped by 5 percent in the morning trade in Mumbai, India's commercial capital, reported CNN Money. Tata Motors also owns Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
Following the global economy slowdown, Tata Motors suffered a dip in its market share. It posted a 42 percent sales decline in December over the previous year. CNN Money reported that the company is expected to release its third quarter earnings on Feb.10.
