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DAVOS, Switzerland -(Dow Jones)- The death of the World Economic Forum's chief of security, Markus Reinhardt, was confirmed Tuesday by the government of the Swiss canton of Grison.
A government spokesman declined to comment on how the 61-year-old police chief died, calling his death a tragic event.
He said Reinhardt, who since 1984 was also the head of the cantonal police of Grison, will be replaced by Marcel Suter as head of WEF security, adding that security measures at the WEF remained intact at all times. Suter was Reinhardt's second-in- command at WEF and is Captain in the cantonal police.
The canton's chief prosecutor said it has started an investigation into Reinhardt's death. Reinhardt was found in his hotel room earlier Tuesday.
The WEF said it mourned the loss.
"It is with great sadness and regret we learned of the tragic death of the Graubunden Cantonal Police Chief, Dr. Reinhardt," the WEF said.
"During the many years during which we co-operated with him over security for our annual meeting at Davos, we appreciated his professionalism and his kindness. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and his colleagues. The security forces continue to have our full confidence and trust in their work," it added.
The death reverberated through the police force. "Sadly, my commander is dead," a local police officer, who requested to remain unnamed because he can't comment publicly, said.
Earlier, a spokeswoman for the summit said Reinhardt likely committed suicide just before world leaders started to convene.
"This has nothing to do with [the meeting]," the spokeswoman told Dow Jones Newswires.
Meanwhile Robert Willi, a Lieutenant-General in the cantonal police, will take up Reinhardt's post as the head of the Grison cantonal police until a permanent replacement is found.
Reinhardt previously worked as a secretary at the Grison Justice and Police department and as a prosecutor of the canton of Grison
Security at Davos will have to be reassessed following the death and will necessarily extend to multi-national organizations and security agencies, said experts.
"There will have to be a full risk assessment to determine if there is an ongoing threat especially in view of the high level of attendees at the conference," said Robert Seiden, president of New York-based Confidential Security and Investigations, or CSI.
This will involve covert intelligence gathering to establish the extent of the risk and the nature and extent of response, he added.
Copyright 2009 Dow Jones Newswires
