Perth Amboy fire chief’s sudden death ‘not suspicious,’ prosecutor says

PERTH AMBOY — Authorities investigating the death of Fire Chief Abraham Pitre said on Tuesday that while they are not announcing a cause of death, they do not suspect foul play.

Andrea Boulton, a spokesperson for the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, said in an email to New Jersey 101.5 that "the circumstances surrounding the death of Fire Chief Pitre is not considered suspicious."

Boulton, when asked for information on the cause or manner of death, said that information is not public record.

Pitre's death was announced on Sunday by Mayor Wilda Diaz, who said at the time that the prosecutor's office was investigating the Saturday death.

A story on NJ.com quoted Councilman Fernando Gonzalez saying Pitre had taken his own life — but Gonzalez told New Jersey 101.5 he had not said that to the news site. He said he was not able to comment on the cause of death.

"He was a great guy. We're all going to miss him," Gonzalez said.

Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey president Dominick Marino told New Jersey 101.5 this weekend, "We are saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of Chief Pitre. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the members of the Perth Amboy Fire department."

Pitre worked for the Perth Amboy Fire Department for 24 years, working his way up from the dispatcher to the First Aid Squad and the volunteer fire department. He became chief in April 2014. He was also a member of the Emergency Services Bureau with the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management.

The Amboy Guardian news website reported Pitre was the department’s first Hispanic fire chief.

Pitre lived in Perth Amboy with his wife and children.

More From New Jersey 101.5:

Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com.