Brooklyn priest kills himself inside church rectory and is discovered after pastor asks police to check on him
- The body of Patrick Burns, 57, was discovered on December 14 in the rectory
- A 16 page suicide note was also found in the property following the check
- Burns struggled with health issues in the past and took a leave of absence
- The incident has been called a ‘tragedy’ by a Diocese of Brooklyn spokeswoman
A Brooklyn priest killed himself inside a church rectory just two weeks before Christmas and was discovered after his pastor requested a wellness check.
The body of Patrick Burns, 57, was discovered on December 14 in the rectory at the Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Windsor Terrace.
A 16 page suicide note was also found in the property following the check which was requested by pastor Father Larry Ryan, sources said.
The body of Patrick Burns, 57, was discovered on December 14 in the rectory at the Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Windsor Terrace
The incident has been called a ‘tragedy’ by a Diocese of Brooklyn spokeswoman.
The church’s music director, Ivonne Rojas, told the New York Post that she was ‘shocked and amazed’ by the news.
Burns has previously reportedly struggled with health issues and spent time away from the church on medical leave, reports The Tablet magazine.
He was ordained in 1992 and has previously served in Bushwick, Jackson Heights, Sunset Park and Corona.
Accordign to the magazine’s obituary the priest attended the Good Shepherd School in Marine Park and later Sheepshead Bay High School.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article then you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255, alternatively you can visit the website at by clicking here.