Accused Child Molester Found Dead In Jail Cell

ROSWELL, GA — The Roswell piano teacher accused of molesting at least two of his students was found dead in his jail cell over the weekend, authorities have confirmed. Troy Lawrence Palmer, who was 55 at the time of his Sept. 13 arrest, was found unresponsive in his cell around 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Fulton County Jail at 901 Rice Street NW in Atlanta.

"The male was in his cell by himself and was found hanging," Atlanta police said in a statement.

EMS units pronounced Palmer deceased, and homicide investigators and the Fulton County Medical Examiner were both called to the scene to investigate the findings. The initial report indicates the scene to be consistent with a suicide. However, Palmer's cause and manner of death will be determined through an autopsy, APD added.

Palmer was arrested at his home in the Roswell North subdivision and charged with two counts of aggravated child molestation. Roswell police spokesperson Lisa Holland said two victims came forward and told police they were molested multiple times between 2008 and 2012 at Palmer's home. Palmer taught piano lessons at his home for the last 13 years, and has been teaching piano for more than 35 years.

Police note Palmer has taught piano at multiple music academies and at Georgia State University from 1995 to 2000. Over this period of time, Roswell police said Palmer has provided lessons to hundreds of students, and investigators believe there could be more victims.

Return to Patch for updates.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

Image via Fulton County Jail