Jackson Man Set Himself on Fire, Concludes Investigation
An investigation into the death of Commander William "Bill" Murphy of Jackson, found burned to death inside a park in Kingwood, concludes he set himself on fire.
Murphy's death has been determined to be self-immolation by the Hunterdon County Medical Examiner's Office reports the Express-Times.
The 63-year-old who lived in Jackson was a senior Naval science instructor and ran Linden High School's Naval Junior Reserve Officer Train Corps program.
A passerby found Murphy on fire on November 4. By the time fire and rescue arrived to the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park along Route 29 Murphy was dead.
Students held a candlelight vigil to remember Murphy last week. Linden schools Superintendent Danny Robertozzi told the Hunterdon County Democrat he was a "solid guy" who cared a great deal for his students.
Another student tweeted that “Commander could tell you to go to Hell in such a way that you'd ask him for directions," reports the Star Ledger.
Murphy was laid to rest at a funeral in Bayonne on Monday.
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