David Burnham, a former New York Times investigative reporter whose work exposing corruption in the New York Police Department in the 1970s inspired the two-time Oscar-nominated Serpico, died earlier this week at the age of 91.
David Burnham Dead at 91: New York Times Investigative Journalist Whose Work Inspired 'Serpico'
According to the Times, he died after choking to death during a dinner at his home in Spruce Head, Maine, which caused his heart to stop beating.
Detective Frank Serpico, an undercover agent trying to persuade the police to tackle corruption, served as Burnham's main source and eventually became the subject of the 1973 crime thriller in which he was played by Al Pacino.
In memory of the reporter, Serpico wrote on social media: "I couldn't have done it without you, David," adding a thumbs up and a praying emoji.
