Man Found Dead In Montco Park Was A Possible Suicide, Police Say

WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP, PA — A Delaware County man who was found nonresponsive in a Montgomery County park late last week has passed away and investigators are saying he may have taken his own life.

The Whitpain Township Police Department issued a statement this week saying that authorities are still trying to piece together what happened to a man who has now been identified as Donte Jones of Sharon Hill, Pa.

Jones was found by a local resident who was walking along a trail at Wentz Run Park in Whitpain Township on June 17 at around 7:45 in the morning.

The resident said they saw a man leaning against a piece of playground equipment and did not appear to be moving, according to police.

Officers were dispatched to the scene and found the man, later identified as Jones, unresponsive.

Police said nothing suspicious was discovered at the park and there did not appear to be any evidence of foul play.

The Montgomery County Coroner's Office subsequently conducted an autopsy on Jones and is awaiting the results of a toxicology screening, which could take weeks, according to police.

Whitpain Township Police say while the investigation remains open, they have preliminarily determined that the case appears to be one of suicide.

A manner of suicide was not immediately revealed.

The police department issued statement of condolences to Jones' family.

"The Whitpain Police Department offers its sincere condolences to the family, children, and friends of Donte Jones," reads a statement from the department. "Mr. Jones was a son, a father, an Army veteran and a member of his Sharon Hill community. We are deeply sorry for his loss."

The department said it is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, and they are asking anyone with information to contact police at 610-279-9033.