Missing SJ Woman`s Husband Found Dead

CINNAMINSON, N.J.: July 5, 2001 — The husband of a woman who has been missing for nearly two months was found dead Wednesday of an apparent heroin overdose.

A neighbor suspected something was awry around 10:30 a.m. when Thomas Szumski`s two children were playing outside unsupervised, said Jack Smith, a spokesman for the Burlington County Prosecutor`s office. The neighbor found Szumski, 42, in his bed. He was declared dead three hours later. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

Authorities are also looking for leads in the case of Szumski`s missing wife, Kimberly. The 36-year-old was last seen leaving the couple`s Buttonwood Lane home on May 8, wearing jogging clothes.

Officials said her car was in the driveway and none of her belongings were missing. She had filed for a divorce in March. In court papers, she said her husband of 11 years had abused her and threatened to kill her.

Smith said authorities are looking at the death and the disappearance as separate cases.

Earlier this week, Kimberly Szumski`s brother Jerry McCool said in an interview that he doesn`t think his sister left home on her own. He said this week that her husband knew where she was.

The couple`s children, Luke, 6, and Olivia, 4, have been placed with relatives.

A $15,000 reward is being offered for information about Kimberly Szumski`s whereabouts. Anyone with information can call 215-546-TIPS (8477).

Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: 6 ABC - Action News