Murdoch was killed in San Francisco. The SF Police Department is notoriously violent, corrupt, and abusive. So while I don't
know what happened, I do know what is the simplest and most likely scenario: Ian Murdoch was murdered by the SFPD. Possibly for no greater reason than pissing off your typical power-tripping storm trooper.
Happens all the time. Only difference is, this time it happened to a somewhat well-known man who had made great contributions to the world. Thank the gods I no longer live in that progressive fascist hellhole.