Such sad news to report — especially considering there have been several tragedies like this over the past few days.
The 49-year-old father of a child who died in 2012 in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut has passed away himself, apparently by suicide.
Jeremy Richman was pronounced dead on Monday morning at around 7:00 a.m. after local authorities arrived and found his body outside the small community’s town hall, according to local media reports.
Related: Sandy Hook Families Score Legal Victory Over Alex Jones
There are few other details about Richman’s death at this point, other than NBC Connecticut and others reporting the passing appears to be a suicide. While that’s speculated, though, even the cause of death is still unofficial; according to the Hartford Courant, “the office of the chief medical examiner is investigating the exact cause of death.”
Still, it’s highly suspicious and tragic, considering the scene and circumstances. Richman’s daughter, then six-year-old Avielle Richman, was one of 20 first graders killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Six adult educators were also killed in one of the most tragic and horrific mass shootings in American history.
According to local media reports, after Avielle’s death, the grieving father dedicated his life to “brain science research” in order to try to understand more about mass shooters, what motivates them, and whether anything can be done to stop them. Jeremy — and his wife, Jennifer Hensel, who is now left without her husband and daughter — was also involved in the Sandy Hook victims’ ongoing lawsuit against InfoWars host Alex Jones.
Related: Remembering Sandy Hook, Five Years Later
Looking beyond just Newtown, too, if Richman’s death is in fact a suicide as is being reported, this would be the third suicide in less than 72 hours related to the aftermath of mass shooting tragedies.
Over the weekend, it appears that two students who survived the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, Florida died by suicide in separate incidents just days from one another, as well.
Our hearts break every time something like this happens, even though there’s very little we can say to ever truly reach those who have been impacted by mass shootings like this. It feels like thoughts and prayers are never enough any more.
But if you are in crisis — for this or any other reason — please, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
R.I.P.
[Image via WENN]
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