July 23, 2003 - Peace Corps Press Release: Investigation on death of PCV Zachary Merrill

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: July 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: July 23, 2003 - Peace Corps Press Release: Updated to Investigation on death of PCV Zachary Merrill : July 23, 2003 - Peace Corps Press Release: Investigation on death of PCV Zachary Merrill

By Admin1 (admin) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 1:54 pm: Edit Post

Investigation on death of PCV Zachary Merrill





Caption: Peace Corps Volunteer Zachary Merrill (center) who was stationed in the village of Kampolosso, in the county of Bla, which is located in the center of Mali. (Photos courtesy Peace Corps Press Office)


Read and comment on this Peace Corps Press Release that the preliminary autopsy report related to the death of Mali Peace Corps volunteer Zachary Merrill has been made available to the Peace Corps. The 23-year old volunteer was found dead at his site in the West African country on Monday, July 7.

Peace Corps staff and volunteers in Mali held a memorial service in Zack's honor on Sunday July 13, at the Peace Corps Post in Mali. The Merrill family is planning a memorial service in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Our condolences to the friends and family of Zachary Merrill from the Returned Volunteer community. Read the Press Release at:


Statement on the Death Investigation of Peace Corps Volunteer Zachary Merrill*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Statement on the Death Investigation of Peace Corps Volunteer Zachary Merrill

Washington, D.C., July 23, 2003 - The preliminary autopsy report related to the death of Mali Peace Corps volunteer Zachary Merrill has been made available to the Peace Corps. The 23-year old volunteer was found dead at his site in the West African country on Monday, July 7.

An autopsy was performed by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The preliminary autopsy findings indicate that the cause of death was by hanging, and the manner of death was suicide. The final report on the investigation will be issued after the results of the toxicology evaluations are complete.

"The Peace Corps is deeply saddened by the death of Zack Merrill. He was an exceptional volunteer, always willing to take on new challenges. The Peace Corps, his fellow volunteers, his host family, and community in Mali will truly miss his many talents and giving nature," stated Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez.

Zack was sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer on November 1, 2001, and while he was scheduled to complete his service this coming November, Zack had requested a one-year service extension to work in the area of information technology. A U.S. resident of Portland, Oregon, he was living in the village of Kampolosso, in the county of Bla, which is located in the center of Mali.




According to his fellow volunteers in Mali, Zack had been the support person for many other volunteers and had always been the one to light up a room with his humor.

"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from friends, family, the Peace Corps, as well as strangers who were touched by this tragic loss," stated the Merrill family.

Peace Corps staff and volunteers in Mali held a memorial service in Zack's honor on Sunday July 13, at the Peace Corps Post in Mali. The Merrill family is planning a memorial service in Lake Oswego, Oregon.




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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Obituaries; COS - Mali; Safety and Security of Volunteers

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