In Murfreesboro, a man found dead on the VA property this past week is the same man who said he asked for help, but did not get it.
Sergeant John Toombs recorded a video (ABOVE) just before committing suicide. He claimed, "I came for help and they threw me out just like a stray dog in the rain." Toombs also stated, "The knew the extent of my problems."
Sgt. Toombs served in Afghanistan with the US Army. He was said to have been kicked out of the VA just days before Thanksgiving, according to a phone call received by his father exactly two days before the holiday.
Sgt. Toombs later hung himself in a vacant building on the VA campus in Murfreesboro.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs' Health System Director, Jennifer Vedral-Baron, released the following statement Monday afternoon:
A tragic incident occurred at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Alvin C. York campus in Murfreesboro, TN. At approximately 6:40 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2016, personnel arriving for work discovered Mr. John Toombs, an Army Veteran, deceased in an apparent suicide.
This is a heart wrenching tragedy for everyone involved. Out of respect for the Veteran and his family, we are unable to speak further about the specifics of his care and benefits in accordance with his privacy rights under HIPAA. Management and staff of TVHS offer our sincere condolences, and our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Toombs' family and friends.
Suicide is a tragic outcome and even one suicide is one too many. VA is committed to ensuring the safety of our Veterans, especially when they are in crisis. Veterans, Servicemembers, and their loved ones in crisis can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office is assisting in the investigation into the death of Sgt. Toombs.
