Police say the father of one of the 20 children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut was found dead of an apparent suicide.

According to Newtown police, the body of Jeremy Richman, 49, was found Monday morning inside Newtown's Edmond Town Hall, where he had an office.

Richman was the father of Avielle Richman, one of the first-graders killed, along with six educators, in the shooting back on Dec. 14, 2012.

He and his wife created The Avielle Foundation, a group dedicated to preventing violence by seeking a better understanding of brain health.

Police Lt. Aaron Bahamonde called Richman's death heartbreaking for the family and town.

Police say it's a tragic reminder support needs to be made available to victims and survivors.

"Mental health professionals that have been talking to us over the last six years have talked about, you know, the aftereffects are not just the immediate aftereffects of the traumatic event. You're going to see these mental health issues occur over and over again as time progresses," says Police Chief James Viadero.

Richman's death comes as officials in Parkland, Florida are publicizing counseling services after two survivors of a high school massacre there killed themselves.

If you are worried about a friend or loved one, or need to talk to someone yourself, the phone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK.

You can also log onto suicidepreventionlifeline.org.