HAVERHILL, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A Bradford family is coping with the loss of their son, and is left with agonizing questions as police are taking a closer look into what led to his death in Florida.
Timothy Englehardt was a 22-year-old college senior and aspiring TV news meteorologist.
"Timothy just lit up our house," his parents said.
As a college senior in Florida, he was making plans to develop his career in Boston. But on Sept. 13, a gunshot to the head ended his life.
It's an image his parents visualize everyday.
"I sob uncontrollably, pray that he didn't suffer," his father said. "I just think of my son lying there, with a bullet in his head, and pray that he didn't suffer."
The Florida home was Timothy's friends' house, and his body was reportedly found on the front porch. Friends who called 911 claimed it was a suicide.
Investigators ruled it a suicide at first but are now calling it a suspicious death. There are questions into why his body was on the front porch but investigators say the gun was found far from him. The weapon was found inside the house, the police chief said.
There are also questions regarding the 911 call, and why at one point a man in the background says "I did it." The woman caller says "No, you didn't, relax. You didn't kill him. Relax."
"I do not believe timothy pulled the trigger," his dad said. "I think something went terribly wrong."
His parents say just 45 minutes before his death he was talking to his grandmother about surprising them for Thanksgiving. He had a second TV news internship lined up.
His close friends in college say there's no way he would commit suicide. His parents say they believe there was an accident and his friends in the house are covering it up; or he was murdered.
"I wanna see Timothy's name cleared and that he did not commit suicide," his father said.
"And we all know timothy did not take his life," his mother said. "And we want justice for him."
"Whether it was accidental or deliberate, murder is still murder," his father added, "and whoever did this should be punished for what was done."
His parents told FOX 25's Jarrod Holbrook that Timothy did attempt to take his own life by swallowing pills once. But, they say, that was three years ago and he's shown no sign of depression since.
Other than that, they say he's always been a happy kid.
State investigators are testing ballistics. Police in Holly Hill, Florida say they are re-interviewing the people in the house.
Cox Media Group
