Man Accused of Assisting Father's Suicide Dies in Ocean Accident
The Somerville man fell into the ocean and died in Maine, it appears he is the same man once accused of assisting in his father's suicide.
A 57-year-old Somerville resident named Bruce Brodigan died Saturday after falling into the ocean in Ogunquit, Maine, according to the Boston Herald.
It appears he was the same man who was once charged, in Connecticut, of assisting in the suicide of his ailing father.
Somerville Patch reported the connection Tuesday morning, and now the Hartford Courant has also reported the man who died in Maine was the same person.
Brodigan, a Linden Avenue resident, had been accused of helping his father, a retired judge and lawyer, kill himself with a cocktail of pills and alcohol.
In April of 2011, Brodigan, 56 at the time, had most of the serious charges against him dropped. His case before Hartford Superior Court in Connecticut.
The serious charges were dropped against him on the condition he entered a rehabilitation program.
Later that year, in December, all charges were dropped against him, according to the Hartford Courant.
According to the Boston Herald's report, Brodigan was walking along Marginal Way, an ocean-front pathway in Ogunquit, Maine, on Saturday morning when he "apparently lost his footing" and fell into the ocean. He was rescued by a boat and transported to York Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of his death remains under investigation, the Herald reports.
More on Brodigan
Somerville Man Facing Assisted Suicide Charges
Son of Alzheimer’s Patient Arraigned in Assisted Suicide Case (Leia em Português)
Manslaughter Case Stoking Assisted Suicide Debate
Pre-Trial Phase Scheduled in Manslaughter Case
Connecticut Drops Manslaughter Charge in Somerville Man's Assisted Suicide Case
Ron Newman
6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I've walked on Marginal Way numerous times, and never realized I might be risking death there. It's upsetting to read this news, for multiple reasons. My sympathies go out to his family.
Jen Capuano
5:36 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
We are deeply saddened by Bruce's death. He was a devoted father, caring and thoughtful man, and our hearts go out to his family.
Bruce had been volunteer tutoring three times a week for Somerville Public Schools, and volunteering in numerous other capacities in our community.
Bruce was an extraordinary tutor with a dedication to and empathy for students that I've found unmatched. He had the true and valuable gifts of an eagerness to understand individuals, of listening, and an opened mind in order to better understand.
The students that Bruce worked with developed a meaningful connection to a caring and understanding adult in their lives. We're tremendously grateful for the time and care that Mr. Brodigan devoted to his community, and we will miss him.
Chris Orchard
9:13 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Jen Capuano wrote*: We are deeply saddened by Bruce's death. He was a devoted father, caring and thoughtful man, and our hearts go out to his family. Bruce had been volunteer tutoring three times a week for Somerville Public Schools, and volunteering in numerous other capacities in our community. Bruce was an extraordinary tutor with a dedication to and empathy for students that I've found unmatched. He had the true and valuable gifts of an eagerness to understand individuals, of listening, and an opened mind in order to better understand. The students that Bruce worked with developed a meaningful connection to a caring and understanding adult in their lives. We're tremendously grateful for the time and care that Mr. Brodigan devoted to his community, and we will miss him.
* Due to a site update, some people have been having trouble commenting on certain articles. We're working on the problem, but the above comment was mistakenly lost. I wanted to make sure it was posted. Thanks for your comment, Jen Capuano.
Liz Stanziola
7:21 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
My daughter was a student of Mr. Brodigan when he taught Latin at Belmont High School. It was his stories of his deaf child that influenced my daughter to be a Communication Disorders major at Emerson. She has now completed her first year of preparation to become an audiologist. She spoke so highly of Mr. B. and our family was moved whe we read of his courageous decision to help his father when he most needed help. Prayers to his family and friends.