Jeremy Richman -- father of a victim of the Sandy Hook massacre and a Tucson native -- was found dead of an apparent suicide in Newtown, Connecticut, Monday morning.
Newtown police say the 49-year-old's body was found Monday morning inside Newtown’s Edmond Town Hall, where he had an office. An autopsy is expected Monday.
Classmates say Richman was a 1988 graduate of Sabino High School. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree and a PhD from the University of Arizona, studying neurology. He was a lecturer at the Yale School of Medicine before his daughter's death.
Richman was the father of Avielle Richman, one of the first-graders killed along with six educators in the shooting on Dec. 14, 2012. He and his wife created The Avielle Foundation, a group dedicating to preventing violence by seeking a better understanding of brain health.
Police Lt. Aaron Bahamonde called Richman’s death heartbreaking for the family and town.
Richman’s death comes as officials in Parkland, Florida, are publicizing counseling services after two survivors of a high school massacre there killed themselves.
