Atlanta transit CEO dies by suicide after walking in front of train

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Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) CEO Jeffrey Parker, who led the public transit agency through an era of expansion and pandemic, died Friday night, the agency confirmed.

The agency said Parker died by suicide. An agency official confirmed he was struck by a train at the East Lake station. The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office said it could release no details of Parker’s death until its investigation is complete.

Only on rare occasion does The Atlanta Journal-Constitution report death by suicide. The newspaper will typically respect the privacy of grieving families in such a circumstance. But in this case, a well-known public figure’s family is sharing the news with the public as a way to counter the stigma attached to suicide. The newspaper is honoring that request.

https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/breaking-marta-ceo-jeff-parker-has-died/QCX3EFKDTFB4BFUV3D75IDYSC4/

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-marta-atlanta-train-ceo-parker-train-suicide-20220116-eiu43net7fgbbhplhgnvi63nxa-story.html