Apparent church suicide victim named by police

WINSTED — Winchester police have identified the man who fell to his death from the roof of St. Joseph Church as Miguel Angel Osorio, a 40-year-old Mexican national who moved here a month ago with his ex-wife.

And though the case is being treated as a suicide, police are still looking for answers regarding the incident.

Osorio plunged from a ledge about 30 feet high into a group of bushes and brush on the west side of St. Joseph Church, near the property’s Virgin Mary statues. His body was found at about 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 by the church’s caretaker.

Police Chief Robert Scannell said Wednesday that Osorio’s closest relative in the United States was a cousin, Jarwin Osorio of Maryland, who came to Connecticut Tuesday night to identify the body.

Miguel Osorio’s ex-wife reportedly told police he left home around 1 p.m. Friday for a walk and never returned.

In an investigation of the church roof, Scannell said, footprints were found matching the shoes worn by Osorio. No evidence was found suggesting anyone else had been on the roof with him.

Scannell said Osorio had been living legally in the United States and that he and his ex-wife had moved here last month.

The death is being treated as a suicide by the state medical examiner’s office.

“He had recently moved here from New Hampshire,� the chief said of Osorio, who had also reportedly lived in California, Florida and Washington state before moving here. He was carrying a Florida driver’s license at the time of his death.

Scannell stressed that Osorio was not an illegal alien, and he rejected other rumors that swirled through Winsted following the incident.

“He was a Mexican national, and he was living legally in the United States. He had his proper visa,� Scannell said.

Though some details of the case were still being withheld, Scannell said the believed Osorio had been distressed recently over being unemployed and unable to find a job.

Police initially investigated the incident as a possible crime scene. Investigators are still awaiting a toxicology report.

Scannell said it appears the victim did not attempt to seek assistance from clergy, as the church’s priests said they did not recognize the man. How he was able to get into the church’s upper levels without anyone noticing is still under investigation.

The Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Squad is working with the Winchester Police Department on the case.