Police: Weatherman Committed Suicide After He Was Reported for Sexual Assault

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A meteorologist for a television station in Maine who committed suicide in April has been named as a suspect Thursday in an investigation that would have charged him with sexual assault if he were still alive, police said.

Tom Johnston, who worked as a meteorologist for WCSH since 2014, would have faced a felony charge of gross sexual assault, the New York Post reported.

Police say the alleged sexual assault took place at a residence in Newry April 1 and was reported the next morning from a hospital in Bridgton.

Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant said during a press conference Thursday that Johnston, 46, was the lone suspect in the case and that a witness and the alleged suspect were able to identify him, the Morning Sentinel reported.

Johnston, also known as “T.J. Thunder,” was reported missing by his girlfriend April 3 after he never returned home from the “Springfest” event at the Sunday River Ski Resort.

Three days later, police found Johnston’s body in the woods in Auburn. The state’s medical examiner determined that the weatherman died of hypothermia from exposure to the cold after he inflicted cuts on both his arms and lost consciousness, the Portland Press Herald reported.

Gallant said he believed Johnston was aware that he was a suspect in the alleged assault and added that police left messages for Johnston, but were unable to reach him.

Gallant said the investigation is closed since Johnston is dead, and he does not seem to be connected to other crimes.

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