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Police: Cortlandt Man May Have Committed Suicide, Used Chemical

CORTLANDT, N.Y. – Police said a man on Westminster Drive in Cortlandt may have used chemicals to take his life Monday, forcing police and fire officials to evacuate residents of the cul-de-sac.

Police Monday night were waiting for a special unit from Newburgh to arrive before proceeding. Four surrounding homes were evacuated.

New York State Police Lt. Doug Larkin said the man, believed to be aged 55 to 60, emailed a friend saying he intended to commit suicide. The friend called 911 and told them of the man's threat, he said.

Larkin said the email indicated the man could have used a chemical, however, it was unclear as of 6:45 p.m. if he did.

“There is an indication that there is someone that has taken his own life and that he used some kind of chemical to take his own life,” Larkin said.

Officials would not comment on why the area had been evacuated.

Neighbors told The Cortlandt Daily Voice that police evacuated them, saying there was a poisonous gas leak.

New York State Police set up a blue tent, which first responders were operating from.

First responders at the scene include Cortlandt-Peekskill Regional Paramedics, New York State Police, Montrose Fire Department, Westchester County Police, Cortlandt Disaster Rehab Unit, VA Hudson Valley Fire Department and Cortlandt Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

 

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