Young Pennsylvania Mayor’s Death Shrouded in Mystery; Police Investigating

An investigation into the death of former Mount Carbon, Pennsylvania, Mayor Brandon Wentz is ongoing, police said.

According to WBRE-WYOU TV, Wentz, 23, died on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 9. The Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner, Albert Barnes, confirmed his death, but officials noted that the details surrounding his death are not clear, the Pottsville Republican Herald reports.

“I was asked by state police not to comment,” Barnes told the Republican Herald. “Next of kin has been notified.”

Schuylkill County Coroner, Dr. David G. Moylan III, told the Republican Herald that while he doesn’t know the details of his death, “any death of a 23-year-old is suspicious unless he was on hospice.”

A toxicology test is currently underway. A virtual autopsy was performed Thursday night, according to Weber, but results had not been processed as of Friday morning.

“We are investigating further with our colleagues at the state police,” Moylan III said.

Wentz had become mayor last February after former Mayor Jeffrey J. Dunkel announced his resignation to pursue career opportunities elsewhere, the Republican Herald reports. The Kutztown University graduate was just 22 at the time.

“It’s devastating, I’m not sure of all the facts,” said neighbor Donna Porter to WNEP-TV.

“He was a good kid, nice to everybody, tried to do everything for everybody,” said Mount Carbon council member Bob Porter. “I don’t know, it’s just very unfortunate, I don’t know what else to say, it’s just a shame, you know.”

His mother sent a message to WNEP via Facebook, saying that the family had relocated out of Mount Carbon and because of that Wentz, had resigned as mayor on Wednesday. Details about why he resigned are not clear.