RUDOLPH ZURICK, UNION COUNTY JAIL GUARD, COMMITS SUICIDE

This note taunting guard Rudolph Zurick was left behind after a jailbreak.

Wed January 2, 2008
Guard taunted in jailbreak note kills himself

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) -- A guard who was named in a cheeky thank-you note left by two jail inmates when they chiseled their way out of their cells has committed suicide, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Rudolph Zurick, 40, was found dead at his home in Middlesex County, said attorney Michael J. Mitzner.

Zurick had not been charged in the December 15 break from the Union County Jail and had been cooperating with the investigation, Mitzner said.

"Everything I understand, he did nothing wrong," said Mitzner, who spoke to Zurick on Monday. "It's hard to know what goes through someone's head."

Mitzner did not have Zurick's cause of death.

In a statement, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow said the death is being investigated by Middlesex County authorities.

"This is not a time for speculation, but a time for mourning," Romankow said. He declined further comment.

Officials in Middlesex County did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Zurick had been scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday about the daring break by inmates Otis Blunt, 32, and Jose Espinosa, 20. Both remained at large Wednesday.

READ SHOCKING UPDATE...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/01/02/guard.suicide.ap/index.html