Brooklyn Cherry Factory Owner Kills Himself in Bathroom During Probe: DA

The owner of a cherry factory in Brooklyn killed himself as city and state officials were searching his building for possible environmental crimes, authorities say.

The Brooklyn district attorney's office released a statement Tuesday saying Arthur Mondella, owner of Dell's Maraschino Cherries in Red Hook, went to his private bathroom inside the building and shot himself.

The 57-year-old Mondella was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Officials say Mondella had been cooperating with the investigation. The district attorney's office said no further information was available at this time.

The company's website says it was founded in 1948 and became one of the largest processors of maraschino cherries in the country.

A telephone message seeking comment from the company was not immediately returned.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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