DOVER — Police in Dover released the name of the man found dead in his car on Friday at the Dover Transportation Center parking lot and said the death appears to be a suicide.
George Tilton, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of a gunshot wound, police said in a press release late Monday morning.
The Dover Police Department and the office of the chief medical examiner are investigating the unattended death, but police believe it was a suicide, based on the investigation to date, police said. A final determination on the cause and manner of Tilton’s death, which occurred on the morning of Nov. 24, will be made by the office of the chief medical examiner, police said.
At about 1:24 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, the Dover Police and Dover Fire and Rescue responded to the Dover Transportation Center parking lot at 33 Chestnut St. in Dover for a report of an unconscious individual in a vehicle. Upon arrival, they located Tilton’s body slumped over in a gray Saab. He was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of a gunshot wound, police said.
Tilton, a Washington Street resident, was the owner of the Saab in which he was found. Passersby notified police after seeing Tilton slumped in the vehicle.
An obituary posted on the Brewitt Funeral Services & Crematory Inc. website stated Tilton “had bravely struggled with severe depression for many years and could no longer continue his fight.”
Tilton, born in Teaneck, New Jersey, lived much of his life in Exeter, the obituary stated. He attended the Cornerstone and Great Bay Charter school and was selected as the graduating senior to receive the Faith and Service Award from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Tilton received his associate’s degree from the Thompson School at the University of New Hampshire. He was pursuing a degree in social work before he died, the obituary stated. At UNH, Tilton was a student advocate with Active Minds, a group that works to remove the social stigma that surrounds mental issues on college campuses throughout the country.
His obituary also stated he worked at the homeless shelter Cross Roads House in Portsmouth. Cross Roads House Executive Director Martha Stone said in a statement, “George was a valued member of our Direct Care Staff at Cross Roads House and had worked here for eight months. In his role, he showed compassion and kindness to the residents at our shelter as he responded to their needs from our front desk. He also greeted volunteers, donors and service providers who came into the shelter with a huge smile on his face. We are all shocked and saddened at his passing and will miss him. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
A visitation and service for Tilton will be held beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newington. Donations may be made in his name to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Seacoast Chapter.
“His heartbroken family asks that you offer words of love and acceptance to anyone you know who suffers with mental illness,” the obituary concludes.
Tilton’s death is being investigated by the Dover Police Department’s Special Investigations Bureau. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Dover Police Department at 742-4646. Anonymous tips may be called into the Dover Crimeline at 749-6000. The Dover Crimeline can also be contacted via www.dovernhcrimeline.org.
