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Langston Focus School principal Samuel Massie took his own life, according to the North Carolina Department of Health.
The burial transit permit, which allowed Massie’s remains to be moved to Virginia, listed his death as a suicide.
A deputy with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina found Massie’s body face down in a pond off Goose Pond Road near Eden, N.C., shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, authorities said.
Law enforcement officials believe Massie drowned in the pond. His obituary states that he died Tuesday.
Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor said a family member called the sheriff’s office Tuesday after Massie didn’t show up at the home of another relative.
Family members tried to contact him on a cell phone and they called other friends, he said.
The sheriff’s office treated him like any missing person, Taylor said, adding investigators went to Massie’s bank to see if there had been any financial transactions, but didn’t find any recent withdrawals or deposits.
Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.
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Reader Reactions
I KNEW MR. MASSIE VERY WELL AND WITH ALL DUE AND RESPECT TO HIS WIFE AND FAMILY, I’M SURE THEY WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS VERSES ALL THE DAILY SPECULATION. SURE HE WAS A GREAT MAN BUT WHY IS IT HE NEVER GOT ALL OF THESE HEADLINES OR PRAISE TILL HIS DEATH. DANVILLE IS SO SMALL MINDED THIS WEEK IT’S MR.MASSIE NEXT WEEK IT’S SOMEONE ELSE ON THE TONGUE. PLEASE TRY AND SHOW HIS WIFE AND FAMILY SOME RESPECT. YES DANVILLE PLACED A GREAT BURDEN ON THIS MAN HE DID WHAT NO ONE ELSE DID. HE GONE LET HIS FAMILY MOURN WITHOUT ALL THIS MESS IF THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE RULING LET IT GO! UPHOLD HIS MEMORY WILL KNOWING BRING HIM BACK? OR WILL THAT JUST GIVE YALL SOMETHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT. NOBODY TALKED ABOUT HIS ACHIEVEMENTS NOR SHOWED APPRECIATION UNTIL HE DIED. PERSONALLY I DON’T CARE TO KNOW THAT’S BETWEEN HIM AND GOD. I’M SAD BUT I’M AT PEACE BECAUSE I DID PRAISE HIM AND SUPPORTED HIS PROGRAM EVEN AFTER MY OWN CHILDREN WERE OUT OF SCHOOL. HE ALLOWED ME TO SPEAK AT THE 2004 GRADUATION CERMONY WHERE I ENCOURAGED THE SCHOOL BOARD AND PARENTS TO TAKE PART IN THE VISION MASSIE HAD FOR HIS KIDS TO PROSPER. SURE HE WAS A BIG STRONG MAN IN OUR EYES BUT HE WAS JUST THAT A MAN. I JUST ASK DON’T JUDGE IT IS NOT FOR US TO DO. PEOPLE DO HAVE PERSONAL LIVES AND IN THIS CASE HIS PERSONAL BUSINESS IS NOT OPEN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW CAUSE ALL YALL GONNA DO IS TALK ABOUT THAT. BE GRATEFUL TO HAVE KNOW SUCH A MAN! RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED JOANNE OVERTON
Mr. Massie you were loved and will be greatly missed. I know you are in heaven and will be a wonderful angel, as you were here.
Mr. Massie did not commit suicide. He was a wonderful man who cared deeply for his family and his students and staff. Why would you choose drowning to commit suicide? I hope that the police department does a very good investigation, because this sounds like something is missing from this story.
Absolutely not…..and the state of NC need to be made to retract the statement of suicide. Mr. Massie loved his family, friends, choir but most of all he loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart and he knew he could take anything to God in prayer and he also knew that it’s not a problem big enough that God can not solve. Stop the rumors and the lies and lets uphold Mr. Massie as the God fearing, loving man that we all knew and loved. All the bad things that you hear is not never will be, and never has been Mr. Sammy Massie…...Lovingly Submitted Sabrina Wood
It does seem as if “something” is missing here, perhaps not all is being told. Was there a suicide note? What frame of mind was he in before he left his residence. I don’t think suicide by drowning especially in a pond is not a perferred way of death by many.
I didn’t know Mr. Massie but I pray that his family find peace and resolution.
If Mr. Massie committed suicide we know he had to have been under a lot of pressure or been sick and not of right mind. He had had some health problems recently and I hope that that was looked into.
Regardless, the man did so much good for this community. He was one of the best things that has ever happened to Danville Public Schools and to the Danville area.
The school system may be afraid to mention prayer, but I am not! I am keeping his family, and even the Danville School system in my prayers. If we can’t pray for each other, than no wonder we have the problems that we do around here.
MR.MASSIE DID NOT KILL HISELF
—-MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY…HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND GREAT PEOPLE COME FROM GREAT PEOPLE..
It is a sad fact that a good man is gone. He carry that reason with him and no one will never understand why. The spot he chosen to take his life was a well travel and open area. When people see a car parked at that location most would think, “someone is fishing” and go on with their business for that day. However it heartbreaking to know that someone died in our little area. May God bless his family during this time.
I do not believe it. I would not put any stock in what Raliegh says assuming they did an autopsy. There is something wrong with this whole thing. I knew Mr. Massie and he would not have left his family this way. He had two sons you cannot convince me he would leave willingly.
Just as is the rest of the City of Danville, I was shocked and saddened by the news of Mr. Massey’s passing.
I remember Mr. Massey from Middle School! He was a teacher at Westmoreland M.S. He was an intimidating man to look at, especially to us children. But upon meeting and talking to him, he was as a big teddy bear. He certainly was a wonderful asset to our community! I believe he truly loved each child he came in contact with, and he sincerely wanted each child to succeed in life! He was always willing to do what he could to see that happen! He was tough when he needed to be, but yet gentle. I am sure I speak for many when I say, “Mr. Massey, you touched innumberable lives in our town! You were loved! You will be sadly missed, and fondly remembered!“
Whatever the circumstances are surrounding his death, I pray justice finds it’s place! I, too, find it difficult to believe drowning is a preferred, much less possible, method of suicide, but the Lord knows, and He is a JUST God.
To the family, we pray for your comfort and peace in the days ahead, and we mourn with you!
Love in Christ,
Lisa Hatcher
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