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Fire chief addresses cyber-bullying claims in Nicole Mittendorff suicide

Posted at 12:20 AM, Apr 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-30 00:36:59-04

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – The chief of the Fairfax Fire Department is launching an internal investigation after the suicide of a firefighter.

Nicole Mittendorff, 31, was found dead in Shenandoah National Park a week ago.

There has been speculation that slanderous comments about Mittendorff on the message board called Fairfax Underground may have played a role in her death.

"We do not know, at this time, whether the postings on the Fairfax Underground blog are by someone within the department or someone on the outside of the department,” Fire Chief Richard Bowers said. “I am also implementing a task force to examine the environment around any discriminatory, harassment, or bullying within this department."

Virginia State Police said there is no evidence to indicate that any blog reports were a factor in Mittendorff`s death.

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