Veteran kills himself in storage shed in Murfreesboro

http://www.dnj.com/story/news/2017/02/10/veteran-kills-himself-storage-shed-murfreesboro/97764414/

A Murfreesboro veteran killed himself in a storage unit Thursday afternoon, according to Murfreesboro Police.

At about 5:25 p.m., police were called to Ideal Storage on South Church Street, according to an incident report.

Dinah Walker, a Veterans Affairs case worker, directed police to the storage unit where she found the man, who had hung himself.

The officer checked for a pulse but found none, the report said. Responding Murfreesboro Fire Department workers performed CPR, but the man was not responsive. He was pronounced dead at St. Thomas Hospital.

Walker said the 62-year-old veteran was a client of hers, the report said. She had last spoken to him at about 3 p.m. that day.

The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System confirmed the suicide in a news release Friday afternoon.

“The health and well-being of the courageous men and women who have served in uniform is our highest priority,” said Jennifer L. Vedral-Baron, Health System director, in the release.

“Suicide is a tragic outcome and hurts not only the victim’s family, but also the caregivers and the larger veteran community. VA is committed to ensuring the safety of our veterans, especially when they are in crisis.”

Veterans, service members, and their loved ones in crisis can call the Veterans’ Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.

“Management and staff of TVHS offer our sincere condolences, and our thoughts and prayers are with this veteran’s family and friends,” Vedral-Baron said.

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