Friar named in Ohio abuse cases found dead in Pa.

PENNSYLVANIA
Tallmadge Express

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania police chief says the death of a Franciscan friar named in Ohio sex abuse settlements and under investigation in Pennsylvania abuse allegations was a suicide.

Blair Township Police Chief Roger White told the Associated Press on Saturday that an autopsy by the Blair County coroner had confirmed that 62-year-old Brother Stephen Baker died of self-inflicted wounds.

White said officers were called at about 7:35 a.m. Saturday to St. Bernardine Monastery, where another resident had found Baker not breathing. He declined to say how Baker died or whether he left a note.

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