PENNSYLVANIA
The Altoona Mirror
January 26, 2013
By Russ O’Reilly
roreilly@altoonamirror.com
HOLLIDAYSBURG – Franciscan friar Stephen Baker, who faced brewing litigation for alleged abuse, died Saturday at St. Bernardine Monastery in Hollidaysburg. His death was ruled a suicide by Blair County Coroner Patricia Ross.
Blair Township Police Chief Roger White said the cause of death was a self-inflicted knife wound. He said the investigation into Baker’s death was closed.
An autopsy was conducted Saturday afternoon at Nason Hospital in Roaring Spring.
Baker was pronounced dead at the monastery by Blair County Deputy Coroner Brian Reidy.
At 7:35 a.m. today, the Blair Township Police Department, Hollidaysburg EMS and the Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to the monastery located at 768 Monastery Road, Hollidaysburg.
Baker was discovered in his room by another resident of St. Bernardine’s, who then made the initial call for assistance to emergency services.
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