By The Associated Press

Published: Saturday, January 26, 2013, 4:26 p.m.
Updated: Sunday, January 27, 2013

HOLLIDAYSBURG — A western Pennsylvania police chief says the death of a Franciscan friar named in Ohio sex abuse settlements and under investigation in Pennsylvania abuse allegations was a suicide.

Blair Township Police Chief Roger White told the Associated Press on Saturday that an autopsy by the Blair County coroner had confirmed that 62-year-old Brother Stephen Baker died of self-inflicted wounds.

White said officers were called at about 7:35 a.m. Saturday to St. Bernardine Monastery, where another resident had found Baker not breathing. He declined to say how Baker died or whether he left a note.

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown earlier said Father Patrick Quinn, provincial of the Franciscan order, had confirmed the death. Bishop George Murray called for prayers for abuse victims, Baker's family "and the repose of his soul."

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