Death of N. Caldwell Man Lit on Fire Ruled a Suicide

The death of a North Caldwell man who was lit on fire this weekend was ruled a suicide Wednesday, Police Chief Mark Deuer said.

According to police, the 20-year-old man died from third-degree burns to nearly 100 percent of his body after he doused himself with gasoline and lit himself on fire in the area of Woodland Avenue and East Greenbrook Road Saturday morning at about 7:15 a.m.

The longtime borough resident, who lived with his parents in the neighborhood where the incident occurred, did not leave a suicide note.

Responding officers extinguished the flames and the man was transported by the West Essex First Aid Squad to the Essex County Airport where he was airlifted to The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

The man later died Saturday afternoon at the Livingston hospital. An autopsy was performed Monday and the investigated has been officially closed, Deuer said.

As a courtesy to the man's family, the police department is not releasing his identity, Deuer said.