The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland is investigating the death of former Jefferson County Schools Chief of Staff David Weiss, who was fired Dec. 19.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was notified of Weiss’ death on Jan. 1 and a spokesperson confirmed the department is investigating Weiss regarding possession of child pornography materials.
The investigation will continue despite Weiss’ death, the spokesperson said. No further information will be released until it is concluded.
Weiss, 47, was abruptly terminated from his role with the Jefferson County School District on Dec. 19 following a school board meeting.
In an email sent to families and staff after learning of Weiss’ death, Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Tracey Dorland and school board president Mary Parker addressed the situation, emphasizing their commitment to student safety.
“We want to assure you that the safety of all children, especially our Jeffco students, is our top priority, and we will continue to fully support the JCSO in their ongoing investigation,” Dorland and Parker wrote.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any employee behavior that threatens the health and safety of our students, and we use and regularly update cybersecurity software and firewalls that prevent staff and students from accessing inappropriate or harmful material on Jeffco networks and devices. We believe that as it pertains to the investigation, the district’s network was not used.”
The district acknowledged the emotional toll of the situation and encouraged the community to seek support if needed.
“This situation is unsettling and challenging for all of us, especially as we await the outcome of the investigation. If you or your loved one needs support during this time, you can access resources through Jefferson Center for Mental Health, Hazel Health, and the Colorado Crisis Services.”
Maryland authorities have released no information about the circumstances of Weiss’s death.