Inspector tied to collapsed Philadelphia building commits suicide



PHILADELPHIA -- An inspector who had some involvement with the building that collapsed last week in Philadelphia has committed suicide, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNN.

Authorities did not release the name of the man but said his body was found inside his truck Wednesday night. Police and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter had no immediate comment. Police are investigating. The inspector's identity has not been released.

CNN affiliate NBC10, citing law enforcement sources, said the man inspected the building several times and had declared it safe.

The vacant building was being torn down when a four-story wall collapsed onto an adjacent Salvation Army thrift store on June 5, killing six people and injuring 13.

Police charged a crane operator, Sean Benschop, with involuntary manslaughter and other counts, accusing him of being too impaired to operate a crane at the incident site.

Toxicology results showed he was under the influence of a controlled substance and was too impaired to operate the crane, authorities said.

On Saturday, Nutter blamed Benschop's "reckless and irresponsible behavior" for the building collapse but also said he was pressing for answers from two property owners who hired Benschop to operate heavy machinery.

Benschop, who maintains his innocence and is being held without bail, is next scheduled to appear in court on June 26. Over the weekend, his attorney, Daine Grey, said his client was "being made the scapegoat in this situation."

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