HOLLIDAYSBURG, BLAIR COUNTY -- Aaron Dishong, 62, from East Freedom, died in an apparent suicide in his Blair County
Prison cell early Friday morning Chief Deputy Blair County District Attorney Wade Kagarise said.
"There was a suicide note. It did not reference the crimes he is charged with," Kagarise said.
Kagarise could not elaborate on the contents of that note.
Blair County Prison Warden Michael Johnston told WTAJ Friday morning that Dishong was on the second tier of a three-tier suicide watch scale. Johnston said he was being checked on every 15 minutes and, it appears, he committed suicide within one of those 15 minute windows. The warden said he is conducting an investigation and Hollidaysburg Borough Officer H.T. Fownes is also conducting an investigation.
"We'll compare our notes on Monday to see if we came to the same conclusion," Johnston said.
Dishong is charged in the November 15, 2012 Altoona fire that killed 3-year-old Darrel Etchison Jr. His mother and 2-year-old sister jumped from an upstairs window of the S. Second Street duplex.
Dishong was in court on Wednesday for his preliminary hearing on homicide, arson and other charges related to the case. His charges were sent to county court for trial.
The Etchison family was notified of Dishong's death early Friday morning. Darrel's mother Brandy said she is relieved she will not have to testify and relive that tragic morning again in court.
"There was a suicide note. It did not reference the crimes he is charged with," Kagarise said.
Kagarise could not elaborate on the contents of that note.
Blair County Prison Warden Michael Johnston told WTAJ Friday morning that Dishong was on the second tier of a three-tier suicide watch scale. Johnston said he was being checked on every 15 minutes and, it appears, he committed suicide within one of those 15 minute windows. The warden said he is conducting an investigation and Hollidaysburg Borough Officer H.T. Fownes is also conducting an investigation.
"We'll compare our notes on Monday to see if we came to the same conclusion," Johnston said.
Dishong is charged in the November 15, 2012 Altoona fire that killed 3-year-old Darrel Etchison Jr. His mother and 2-year-old sister jumped from an upstairs window of the S. Second Street duplex.
Dishong was in court on Wednesday for his preliminary hearing on homicide, arson and other charges related to the case. His charges were sent to county court for trial.
The Etchison family was notified of Dishong's death early Friday morning. Darrel's mother Brandy said she is relieved she will not have to testify and relive that tragic morning again in court.
Comments
Yes it is a shame for both families. When you consider this did not need to happen. I don't know how someone can say someone is not guilty though, considering what has been documented. The difference is the 3 yr old did not have a chance nor choose to die. Aaron made his decision to die.This whole thing is bad for everyone involved.
rodger r.
December 7, 2012 at 8:49 pm
my brother was not an animal, and my condulence to the family of the 3yr old, now there are 2 family greiving a loss, but 2 deaths don't make it right, my brother was only accused, not guilty, he is loved and missed by all his family,hope everyone can find peace now,
JUANITA D.
December 7, 2012 at 8:21 pm
