Body found hanging from N.Y. building ruled a suicide

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. — A 74-year-old man hanged himself by a rope here Thursday from a fourth-floor window at an apartment building for senior citizens.

The man, who had lived in an apartment at Macedonia Towers, was identified as Azariah Kerr. He left a note inside his apartment and no foul play is suspected, officials said.

His dangling body was in plain view of rush-hour motorists, pedestrians and children riding by on buses or walking to Nellie A. Thornton High School.

Many Thornton students who passed the scene were crying when they arrived at school, one parent told The Journal News. The principal, Sharon Bradley, later sent a recorded phone message to parents.

"Because so many of our students and staff were on their way to school during this occurrence, we had two assemblies today, met with the students, shared information, and offered them student support services for help." The recording said.

Bradley said social workers, counselors and psychologists from other schools were brought in to assist with the high school's staff.

Contributing: Hoa Nguyen of The Journal News