Fired Jeffco Public Schools principal died of apparent suicide, police say

On January 7, 2025By Littum

A Jeffco Public Schools superintendent who was fired while under investigation for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material has died at a Maryland national historical park of an apparent suicide, sheriff’s officials said Friday.

David Weiss, 47, of Morrison was found dead at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park in Williamsport, Maryland, just after 9:30 a.m. New Year’s Day, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Sheriff’s officials responded to the park after receiving a 911 call, Capt. Josh McCauley said in an email. The agency declined to release additional information about the case because of the ongoing investigation.

Weiss was in Maryland visiting family for the holidays, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Weiss’ official cause and manner of death will be determined after an autopsy by the Baltimore medical examiner’s office, which could take up to 90 days.

Weiss was fired from his position as Jeffco’s Chief of Schools in December after the sheriff’s office began investigating him, according to previous reporting. The investigation will continue, Jefferson County officials said Thursday.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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Originally published: 3 January 2025 at 14:21 MST