West Haven mayor addresses fire captain suicide

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police say 39-year-old Frank Meyer, a West Haven volunteer firefighter, who was facing charges in a child sex case took his own life in Vermont on Tuesday.

Last week Meyer and 42-year-old Brett Bartolotta were charged with aggravated sexual assault and sex slave trafficking.

Vermont authorities say the two men bribed a boy with money and gifts to perform sex acts over the course of several years, beginning when he was just 12 years of age.

That alledged victim is now 25.

Meyer was a dispatcher and volunteer captain with the West Haven fire department in addition to being an advisor with the Explorer's post, a program for young people with an interest in firefighting.

Tuesday afternoon Meyer's body was found on a road in Newfane, Vermont.

On Wednesday afternoon West Haven mayor John Picard had comments about this latest turn of events in the case.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to his parents and to his family," said Mayor Picard.

"As far as the investigation which is pretty much being conducted to the best of my knowledge by the Vermont State police. Whatever they're doing is still ongoing and our police department will co-operate as they have been," said Mayor Picard.

Meyer had been suspended from the fire department with pay since the charges were filed against him.

A hearing was schedueled for this coming Friday at which time the city planned to determine if his pay was to be cut off.

Of course, the case against Brett Bartolotta will continue to move forward. Again he faces charges of aggravated sexual assault and slave trafficking.