A Maine meteorologist was the only suspect in a sexual assault case before he killed himself, Oxford County Sheriff's Office confirmed at a press conference Thursday, NH1.com reported.
Tom Johnston, a former WCSH meteorologist, was found dead on April 6, days after an assault at a residence in Newry, according to the NH1.com. The suspect reportedly fled the scene and was later reported missing.
Maine radio station WGAN reported a possible connection between the incident and Johnston's suicide, noting that he was the only missing person reported in the county around the time of the assault.
"Our investigation shows that Johnston was at the residence and was identified during the commission of the sexual assault," Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant said during a press conference Thursday. "Johnston left the residence before deputies arrived on scene and was later reported as a missing person by the Old Orchard Police Department. Johnston was found deceased on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in a wooded area by the Auburn Police Department."
The case is closed, Gallant said. Johnston would have been charged with a Class B gross sexual assault, which reportedly occurred around 8:30 p.m. on April 1, WCSH-TV reported. Johnston reportedly "died from exposure to the elements after cutting himself multiple times on each arm," according to the station.
"We are disturbed to learn this troubling information," WCSH president Brian Cliffe said on the station's website. "We began covering Tom’s disappearance in early April. During today’s Oxford County Sheriff’s Office’s news conference, we learned for the first time with everyone else that Tom would have been charged in a Class B gross sexual assault that happened on April 1, if he was still alive. We share in the community’s shock and our thoughts are with the victim and the families involved."
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