MASSENA -- Massena Police have released the name of the deceased found at Springs Park on May 18.

Police say Joseph Mazzola, 59, was found deceased in his vehicle due to a self-inflicted wound during the morning hours of May 18. 

 Massena Police Chief Cody Wilson confirmed the incident was isolated and there was no threat to the public.

Massena Police have since been able to notify the next of kin, Wilson said.

Help Available

The St. Lawrence County Community Services Board recently designated Citizen Advocates as the crisis provider for St. Lawrence County.

According to county officials, Citizen Advocates is currently working diligently to build a mobile response program within the County. They are currently accepting telephone calls for assistance by dialing, 315-265-2422.

Suicide in St. Lawrence County

Suicides are a tragic public health concern in St. Lawrence County, and one that officials have been working to address through a variety of education initiatives.

Data from St. Lawrence County shows that from 2017 to 2022 at least 71 people took their own lives here. At least seven of those deaths were among teenagers.

In 2024 26 people were reported to have taken their own lives in St. Lawrence County.

It’s not just a local problem. In 2020, the U.S. had one death by suicide every 11 minutes.

For people ages 10-34, suicide remains a leading cause of death.