University of Michigan Police Report and Emails Document Reported Death Threat Involving Dr. Myria Petrou and Duaa Altaee (January 2018)

Timeline of Reported Death Threat and Subsequent Communications

On January 21, 2018, Dr. Myria Petrou and Duaa Altaee received a threatening phone call in which they were told that if they did not “back down,” their lives would “end very soon.”

At the time, Dr. Petrou was affiliated with the University of Michigan, and Duaa Altaee, who had been terminated in November 2017, remained involved in a sexual harassment complaint involving an NIH-funded ALS research grant, with both maintaining ongoing EEOC complaints against the University of Michigan arising from these matters.

On January 22, 2018, Dr. Petrou contacted the University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD) to report the threat. Later that day, UMPD Officer Susan Upton contacted Dr. Petrou, documented the reported incident, and provided safety guidance. The report reflects that Officer Upton attempted to contact Ms. Altaee, who was then residing in Washington, D.C., but was unable to reach her. The case was closed the same day.

University of Michigan Police Department case report documenting reported threatening message involving Dr. Myria Petrou January 2018 #1
University of Michigan Police Department case report documenting reported threatening message involving Dr. Myria Petrou January 2018 #2

University of Michigan Police Department case report documenting the reported threatening message, follow-up with Dr. Petrou, and same-day case closure.

Following guidance from UMPD, Dr. Petrou notified departmental leadership of the reported threat, including then Chair of Radiology Dr. Reed Dunnick and Dr. Ella Kazerooni, then Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for Radiology. Office of General Counsel and the Office of Institutional Equity also aware.  Timothy Lynch, Vice President and General Counsel, responded and indicated that the matter would be shared with the University of Michigan Police Department.

Email from Dr. Ella Kazerooni to Dr. Myria Petrou acknowledging reported death threat and indicating follow-up with University of Michigan officials
Email from University of Michigan General Counsel Timothy Lynch to Dr. Myria Petrou regarding reported death threat and referral to police
Email from University of Michigan General Counsel Timothy Lynch to Dr. Myria Petrou regarding reported death threat additional page

Email correspondence dated January 22, 2018 documenting immediate notification to University of Michigan departmental leadership and the Office of General Counsel regarding the reported threatening message, and contemporaneous acknowledgment and escalation.

On January 23, 2018, Dr. Petrou contacted the Michigan State Police regarding the reported threat and requested investigation into the matter. In response, she was advised that, depending on jurisdiction, potential investigative avenues could include University of Michigan Police, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, the Michigan State Police, or federal authorities.

Email from Michigan State Police to Dr. Myria Petrou regarding reported death threat and investigative options
Michigan State Police email correspondence with Dr. Myria Petrou discussing jurisdiction for reported death threat
Michigan State Police response email outlining investigative avenues for reported threat involving Dr. Myria Petrou

Email correspondence between Dr. Myria Petrou and the Michigan State Police documenting reporting of the threatening message, request for investigation, and guidance regarding potential investigative avenues.

On January 24, 2018, while traveling to work on Geddes Avenue, Dr. Petrou experienced a near-collision involving a vehicle that entered her path without warning. This incident was reported to University personnel, and Dr. Petrou was subsequently referred to Michigan Medicine Security. Security personnel provided information regarding available safety resources, including escorts and emergency contact procedures.

Email correspondence reporting near-collision incident and referral to Michigan Medicine Security following reported death threat
Michigan Medicine Security email outlining safety resources including escorts and emergency procedures for Dr. Myria Petrou

Email correspondence documenting reporting of a safety-related incident and subsequent referral to Michigan Medicine Security, including provision of safety resources and protective measures.

Additional communications on January 25, 2018 reflect continued reporting of safety concerns and follow-up with University security regarding subsequent incidents.

Email from Dr. Myria Petrou reporting additional safety incident and ongoing concerns following reported death threat January 2018
Follow-up email from Dr. Myria Petrou documenting continued safety concerns and inability to reach Duaa Altaee after prior threat

Email correspondence documenting continued reporting of safety concerns and subsequent incidents following the initial reported threat, including follow-up with University security.

The record reflects contemporaneous reporting of a serious safety concern across multiple institutional and law enforcement channels within a compressed time period, including notification to University leadership, General Counsel, and law enforcement, underscoring the seriousness and immediacy of the reported threat.

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Brad Foerster, MD PhD

Brad Foerster is a FOIA advocate documenting requests, transparency disputes, and accountability investigations involving public agencies, universities, police oversight, and Russia-Gate related inquiries. His work compiles original documents, timelines, and analysis of public records and institutional responses. Brad is also a board-certified radiologist, author of Town & Gown, and has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. Brad lives in Potomac, Maryland with his family and is active in the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Takoma Park U.S. & World History Book Club.