Ex-Fort Morgan Manager Dies Of Apparent Suicide

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) - The former Fort Morgan city manager died of an apparent suicide two days after appearing in court on a child pornography summons.

The Fort Morgan Times reports that the Adams County coroner and Brighton police say Patrick Merrill led officers on a low-speed chase shortly before his death Friday morning. Officers found Merrill dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound after the chase.

Officers had been asked to check on his welfare and spoke to him on a cell phone during the chase.

The Adams County coroner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Merrill received a severance settlement of about $77,000 from the city in mid-January shortly after he was put on leave.

Details of the child pornography summons were not immediately available.

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