Woman commits “chemical suicide” in her car

TOWN OF NEWBURGH – A Town of Newburgh woman committed suicide late Sunday night by mixing poisonous chemicals while in her car.
Newburgh officers were called to the scene at around 11:20 p.m., said Police Chief Michael Clancy.
The first two officers on the scene opened the car door and were overcome by the fumes, collapsed and nearly passed out, Clancy said. Three other officers were also affected by the fumes resulting in all five being taken to St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital for treatment for illnesses and symptoms related to the inhalation of the poisonous fumes. They were all kept overnight and released by mid-morning.
Six EMS personnel, who also responded to the scene, were also treated at the hospital.
Clancy said the woman, whose name he did not release, was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Clancy said the preliminary investigation indicates the case involves an apparent chemical suicide with at least two substances mixed in a confined space in the car creating the deadly gas. A “recipe” was located at the scene.
Clancy said the woman had looked up chemical suicide in a vehicle to find what to mix.