Concord School Custodian Investigated For Dressing As A Horror Clown On School Property

CONCORD, NH — An elementary school custodian for the Concord School District, who dresses as a horror clown, has been investigated and will remain on the job despite concerns raised by educators and other employees about the misuse of district property and comments and pictures he made for an online contest.

Kathleen Murphy, the superintendent of SAU 8, confirmed there was an investigation of the Broken Ground Elementary School employee who had pictures of himself roaming through the building during his overnight work hours, dressed in a horror clown costume, and comments he made online for a clown contest with a prize of $13,000.

The custodian began promoting the contest in late August and early September, leaving sticky notes asking for staff support. Educators informed another custodian about the notes and found pictures of the custodian, dressed in his killer clown outfit, in different settings inside the school, including a hallway and a music room. The custodian did not pay to rent out the school for personal use.

More concerning, though, were comments made by the employee online. In an interview connected to the contest, the custodian was asked which movie monster he related to. He called it a hard question because “I see myself reflected in many movie monsters but for many reasons.” He then pointed to Jason Vorhees, the killer in the “Friday the 13th” series.

“(He) was one for being singled out and hurt by those around me due to my differences leading to moments of anger, rage, and what I see as self-defense,” he reportedly stated.

The custodian also mentioned Frankenstein’s monster, saying, “I never asked to be made the way I am and most (of) my life has been pain and rejection done against me by the mad scientist that made me…broken.”

The custodian said he has been working on indie films and the money for the contest could be used toward finishing his vision and dream as well as family expenses.

Another custodian for the district raised the issue with the central office, which led to the investigation. The complainant said they were concerned about the online comments and the violent nature of the custodian’s clown costume in an elementary school. He said word spread quickly throughout the school, and they were “very uncomfortable” about the situation. The entire situation may everyone feel “yucky” about the entire thing.

After the investigation, the clown custodian remained employed.

The complainant said he and others became more frustrated as the clown custodian continued to post photos of himself while wearing Concord School District apparel — while also holding weapons, according to pictures from social media sites. Another report was filed, but nothing was done, he said. He added SAU 8 policy was to “know and tell” — reporting strange, unorthodox behavior or situations so they could be remedied and students and teachers could be kept safe. He said some educators would not stay late at the school because they did not feel safe.

“This is something I will not let slide, and I will do everything in my power to protect the staff and kids in my building,” he said. “I would never be able to live with myself if any staff or kids were ever harmed in any way, shape, or form.”

The complainant custodian, who had been working in the district for about eight years, said he had seen “many things covered up or not brought to the public's attention,” and it was time, in this case, to “take a stand and voice my concerns not only as an employee but a father to a wonderful girl who’s currently in elementary (school). That’s why this issue really hits home.”

Murphy did not comment further about the case because it was a personnel issue.

Not long after the investigation was closed and Patch learned about the situation, the clown custodian requested an article about the contest. Patch countered with several questions about concerns raised by educators and employees at the school and requested a response. The custodian, however, did not respond to the questions.

Have you got a news tip? Please send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Check out the #FITN2024 NH Patch post channel and follow our politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.