APPARENT SUICIDE Former JROTC Teacher Accused Of Sexual Abuse Hangs Himself
Reported by: Elizabeth Norieka
Web Producer: Latasha Hughes
Reported: Jul. 23, 2012 11:31 PM EDT
Updated: Jul. 24, 2012 12:53 AM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Dunbar
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A former South Charleston High School JROTC teacher accused of sexual abuse has killed himself.
South Charleston Police tell Eyewitness News that Sergeant Edwin Smuda hanged himself at a New Jersey hotel while visiting his sister. We're told he made all of his funeral arrangements and left behind a suicide note.
Smuda was charged with inappropriately touching a teenage boy at a Dunbar home while they were watching a movie.
In the wake of those charges, Smuda received support from many of his students.
We're told the investigation resurfaced at the end of June when a third alleged victim came forward. Following that accusation, we're told Smuda tried unsuccessfully to kill himself while in Florida.
We'll continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
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Elizabeth Norieka
