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The Rev. Mary Davis leads Chatham clergy in prayers at site of apparent suicide

The Rev. Mary Davis
By: 
Ed Barmakian / The Alternative Press

[The Alternative Press] The dead body of a male adult was found by dog walkers at approximately 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning at the playground behind the Gardern Court apartments, near the Chatham Middle School.

The death, an apparent suicide, is being investigated by the Chatham Borough Police and the Morris County Prosecutors Office. According to Chatham Police Chief Phil Crosson, authorities are confirming the identity and notifying next-of-kin before releasing any information.

Prayers were offered for the victim, only known at this time as "Dan," at the scene this morning by Mary Davis of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, along with Rev. Jeff Markey of United Methodist Church, Rev. Christa Compton of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and Pastor Clarissa South Holland of Green Village United Methodist Church. Davis blessed the area with prayer and holy water.

Sarah Schwarz, who lives near the middle school, was alerted to the death early in the morning when her son's normal route to school was blocked by the police investigation.

"My son usually walks to school right by here," Schwartz said. "It was a knee-jerk reaction, but I called my priest, Mary Davis, and asked her to bless the family and this person. This hits so close to home. It's tormenting that a person felt they had no choice but to do what he did. It's heartbreaking."