Donté Perez Jones, as seen on the GoFundMe page for funeral expenses and anticipated legal fees.
Whitpain Township Police said Tuesday their investigation into the apparent suicide of a United States Army veteran at Wentz Run Park is ongoing.
Investigators said a resident discovered a body leaning against a piece of playground equipment near a walking trail at 7:45 a.m. on June 17. An arriving police officer and paramedic responded to the scene and located the man, who was unresponsive, police said.
The body was later identified as Donté Perez Jones, of Sharon Hill.
“The Whitpain Township Police Department offers its sincerest condolences to family, children and friends of Donte Jones,” said Chief Kenneth Lawson. “Mr. Jones was a son, a father, an Army veteran and a member of his Sharon Hill community. We are deeply sorry for this loss.”
Police said after Jones’ body was found, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene as police cordoned off a large area of the park and conducted a search of the area. Nothing suspicious was found in the area, police said.
Lawson added that the coroner’s office has conducted an autopsy, and investigators are awaiting the results of that autopsy and an associated toxicology report. Those results could take several weeks to be returned, Lawson said.
The version of events provided by law enforcement, however, is not sitting well with some of Jones’ friends and family, who have rallied behind a GoFundMe page seeking funding for both Jones’ funeral expenses as well as an “independent autopsy” and investigation into his death.
The GoFundMe page, which has already raised $14,080 of its stated $40,000 goal, is being run by organizer Latina Bedford-Dean, with the approval of Jones’ parents. Bedford-Dean, who has been regularly updating the page, said Jones was a father of three children who previously served in the United States Army and had just finished Commercial Driver’s License training.
“We are seeking the truth about the death of Donté Perez Jones,” said Bedford-Dean, via the GoFundMe page. “His life was cut short on 6-17-2022.”
Bedford-Dean said Jones was last seen at his mother’s house at 11:40 p.m. on June 16 and added that he had no ties to the Whitpain Township area. She said it was odd that Jones would drive roughly an hour away to an unknown park to commit suicide, and said she was suspicious of a Black man’s body being found "hanging in a predominantly white neighborhood” on Juneteenth weekend.
Despite the questions and suspicions raised by Bedford-Dean, officials said there is no current evidence or signs of foul play.
“At this time, based on the current facts and evidence, no foul play is suspected, and this incident appears to be a suicide,” said Lawson.
The GoFundMe goes on to provide additional questions from the family, and claims family members were told that the death was ruled a suicide and the investigation was closed. Officials disputed that claim, however, in their release on Tuesday afternoon.
“The investigation into the death of Mr. Jones is ongoing, and the Whitpain Police Department did not report that the investigation is closed,” Lawson said. “We are taking this matter seriously, as we would with any other similar situation.”
Lawson added that the investigation will not be closed until the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office releases their report indicating Jones’ cause and manner of death. The family, per Bedford-Dean, also plans to have a second, private autopsy performed as part of their own investigation.
Investigators are requesting that anyone with information regarding the death of Donté Perez Jones come forward with any information they may have. Anyone willing to speak with officers is asked to call 610-279-9033. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].
To stay current on updates from the GoFundMe page, click here.
See also:
Woman’s Body Discovered Off of Sumneytown Pike, Police Investigating
Body Found at Bucks County Park Identified, Manner of Death Listed as Homicide
Police Investigating Death of North Penn High School Student in Lansdale
Body Discovered at Park in North Wales Appears to be Suicide Victim, Police Say
Police Search for Missing Man Ends in Suicide in Souderton
