Who Is Jeremy Richman? Father Of Sandy Hook Victim Dead In Apparent Suicide

A parent of a Sandy Hook victim was found dead on Monday morning in Newtown, Connecticut. In 2012, Jeremy Richman's daughter, Avielle, a first-grader, was one of the 20 children shot and killed by Adam Lanza at Sandy Hook elementary school.

After Avielle's death, Richman co-founded the Avielle Foundation which aims to prevent violence and foster a nurturing environment built around compassion.

The 49-year-old neuropharmacologist was found on Monday at the Edmond Town Hall of an apparent suicide. Police would not discuss details surrounding his death, according to The Newtown Bee, though the Newtown Police Department noted in a Facebook statement that it “does not appear to be suspicious.”

Richman’s body was transported to the State of Connecticut Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy and officials who knew him have expressed their shock.

“[There are] no words to describe the tragic weight of today’s news. Jeremy Richman was a loving husband, father and friend to many. I am proud to say he was my friend,” said Newtown First Selectman Daniel Rosenthal.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy tweeted, “My god. This is awful, horrible, devastating news. Jeremy was a good friend and an unceasing advocate for better research into the brain’s violence triggers. He was with me in my office two weeks ago, excited as could be about the Avielle Foundation’s latest amazing work.”