Alexander John Heitman
Note: This story was last updated at 2:08 a.m. Feb. 28.
The cause of his death has been questioned for months, but information released Friday said a former Oak Ridge Schools employee found dead in Cocke County in July 2011 wrote a suicide note the day before he died.
Alex Heitman, 29, was the supervisor of business and support services for Oak Ridge Schools. Cocke County authorities said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on July 25, 2011. The death was ruled a suicide.
But Heitman’s parents, Don and Annette Heitman, have been questioning since at least October 2013 whether their son’s death, which they call mysterious, was actually a suicide. They’ve been supported by a few residents and former residents and Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn.
On Monday, a television station in Madison, Wisconsin, broadcast a story on Heitman’s death and his parent’s quest to find answers. In that story, Don Heitman said “we just don’t have the answers to prove that it was (suicide).†In that same story, Baughn said the information collected so far “points to something much bigger than a suicide.â€
But Heitman’s widow, Kristie Heitman, told the TV station that she believes her late husband committed suicide, and she found what appears to be a suicide note on his computer after he died.
On Monday, the day of the TV story, Kristie Heitman sent a copy of that note to Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi “so the truth could be known,†the police chief said in a report released by the City of Oak Ridge on Friday.
The suicide note, which includes personal messages to family members, was written July 24, 2011, the day before Alex Heitman died. Heitman said he was depressed, and he hadn’t found anything to cure that feeling.
It wasn’t clear if Don and Annette Heitman or Baughn had previously seen the note, or if it would change their assessment. Oak Ridge Today was not able to reach the Heitmans via email or Baughn by phone on Friday evening.
Kristie Heitman’s mother also sent Akagi a copy of a receipt that showed Heitman had bought two boxes of ammunition with a credit card at a Knoxville Walmart at about 7:47 a.m. July 25, 2011. A second receipt showed Heitman had purchased sleeping pills using a debit card at a Walgreens store at 8:05 a.m. that day.
Kristie Heitman, who now appears to go by the name Kristie Kasperski, said Alex had also tried to rent out their home at one point and to rent their vehicles to strangers because he needed to generate money and was afraid he might lose his job.
“She advised this was evidence of him showing his panic and mental state,†Akagi said in the report released Friday.
It wasn’t immediately clear Friday afternoon if the release of the suicide note and the receipt showing Heitman’s purchase of shotgun shells on the day of his death will end months of speculation and suspicion on social media and occasional stories in media outlets as far away as London.
It’s also not clear that those who are skeptical of the official cause of death have coalesced around a single alternative explanation for how Heitman might have died. A blog devoted to the topic appears to reflect that uncertainty; it’s titled in the form of a question: “What Happened to Alex Heitman?”
The blog was set up by Don and Annette Heitman, who live in Adams, Wisconsin. They have asked the FBI to look into their son’s death, and they’ve asked Cocke County authorities to re-open the death investigation. Using Baughn as a Tennessee proxy, they’ve also requested records from Oak Ridge Schools, and they’ve retained local attorney Hugh Ward to help them.
The Heitmans say that nearly every official record associated with their son’s death contains errors, some of great significance. They also say that officials from multiple jurisdictions have been uncooperative with them in their quest for answers. And, among other issues, the Heitmans have raised questions about whether Alex might have “trusted the wrong person or identified someone that did not want to be identified.â€
Supporters say the parents have been “stonewalled.” Among other things, they’ve expressed exasperation with what they suggest is a reluctance by East Tennessee officials to answer questions or release documents related to the case.
Kristie Heitman appears to have had a different experience, at least in Oak Ridge. She thanked Akagi for helping her and apologized that “this is such a mess.”
The Newport Plain Talk in Cocke County reported in June that the District Attorney’s office saw no reason to re-open the death investigation. William Brownlow Marsh, assistant district attorney general in Newport, said his office reviewed the Cocke County Sheriff’s Department report, and “it appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. That’s what the investigation and autopsy bears out. Most of the file is a public record.â€
Marsh also said: “The only new evidence is that he (Alex Heitman) was under investigation for improprieties at work. His wife said he was depressed and worried about (that).â€
In the report released by the city on Friday, Akagi said Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark also does not plan to re-open any investigation of this incident “as it was never classified as a criminal investigation.â€
In response to requests, the Oak Ridge school system released a report last year that questioned some spending by Heitman between July 1, 2010, and July 25, 2011. But it’s not clear how serious those issues were, or if Heitman might have been able to offer an explanation.
Heitman’s parents have pressed for more information on the documentation that supports that report’s findings.
Don and Annette Heitman said their son had been cooperating with an investigation involving an alleged fraudulent check-cashing scheme perpetrated on the Oak Ridge school system bank account. But it’s not clear if any of the people involved in that alleged scheme were Oak Ridge Schools employees (Oak Ridge Today has received a report that they weren’t), or how many of the accused were convicted or pleaded guilty.
Alex Heitman had been employed with the Oak Ridge school system for two years. His wife was eight months pregnant at the time of his death and an Oak Ridge elementary school teacher.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Joseph Lee says
How sad and unfortunate that a widow from such a terrible family tragedy would have to publically reveal very personal information, concerning her husband’s suicide, to get the anti-school conspiracy wacko’s to STOP! God bless Kristie Heitman, her child, and family.
Sandi Goldberg says
I don’t see it that way at all. Why didn’t she share that information with his parents? Had she of told them about the suicide note, the purchase of ammo and sleeping pills, I doubt there would have been an investigation that went public. That is just cruel to have that info and not share with them.
Mike Mahathy says
Sandi, Are you kidding me! You know for sure she didn’t share those, really?! I’ve been told people looking into this have long known about those. What right do you, I or any other citizen have a right to know about personal and private documents!
Sandi Goldberg says
Why would I be kidding you when I wasn’t even talking to you. Do you know for a fact that she did? I have never seen a suicide note mentioned in anything I have read. Not on the Heitman’s blog, not in any of the news articles, not anywhere. Nor have I seen anything about receipts for ammo or sleeping pills. Do you have info no one else has/had?
Matt Bailey says
Kristi Herron addressed the possibility of a suicide note this week in a string that was later deleted. I think but am not positive that she cast doubt on whether she would believe it. Like she had any rights one way or the other.
We need to leave this family alone to work this out between the parents, widow and her child. It’s none of our business any further.
Kristy Herron says
The parents were told by the widow there was a note (in the beginning), but were never given a copy, until this week. The entire family needs thoughts and prayers.
Matt Bailey says
Wait, you’re telling me that the parents knew this? And now that it’s been produced there are Heitman family supporters who doubt it? The pain the widow must have gone thru to release its existence and people are doubting it? That’s horrible! Yes, they need everyone’s prayers. And we all need to leave the whole family alone to try and find some peace.
Mike Mahathy says
What you think or what you have seen or haven’t seen, and applies to me, is immaterial.
Susie Williams Taylor says
Mike, I had/have the right as the “right” was given to me by Annette & Don Heitman. I do know a lot about this case…..yes, in my mind, it is still an unsolved/unresolved case. Yes, I have been privy to quite a bit of information. Hence, my drive to help the Heitman family.
Mike Mahathy says
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Kristy Herron says
Wife knew of the suicide note right after the death; she just did not submit the “note” and the law enforcement officials did not force her to print it and turn it over, allegedly. Note was allegedly still in draft form on his computer in their home in Knox County.
Mike Mahathy says
Maybe each of U.S. should ask for for copy of information from widow and see what she said. I’m just guessing of course but I am thinking the widow turned it over voluntarily because she wants this witch hunt over for the sake of herself and her son.
Sandi Goldberg says
Thanks for the info, Kristy.
Mike Mahathy says
Joe, sadly they have put the widow and son through more grief, and sadly these conspiracy theorists likely will continue to do so.
Kristy Herron says
There are no conspiracy theories, just hard demands for answers; even the widow and child deserve those. Everyone simply wants answers as due process and procedure was absent.
Matt Bailey says
The general public has no moral rights to the autopsy results. I believe Genesis 2:24 addresses the wife’s rights and it likely doesn’t address the general public.
It is the opinion of some it was a botched investigation. Your opinion only. No government agency agrees with you and your cohorts. Opinions and innuendos are the basis of your comments and most of Trina’s – who has been the sad and sick ring leader of all this. You folks have drug this widow thru the mud and filth long enough. Please have the wisdom to leave her alone.
You don’t know if there’s more to this or not. Many qualified government officials disagree with you.
Trina and her “out of town supporters” have embarrassed us, and apparently the widow, long enough. You three instigators don’t live here. Many others in your group don’t either. Wonder why Trina can’t recruit in the city? Because too any of us are sick of her antics. Leave the widow alone. This is the END of this sad chapter. Please- find another community to harass.
Mike Mahathy says
The DA and police am agencies have started there was not criminal activity. No one knows a husband or wife better than the source, no one. I’m sorry Mrs. Heitman lost her son. I know she has suffered but there is a little boy who one day will read this stuff on Internet. As I said no one knows about their partner more than the other partner and the marriage supersedes the parent child relationship, if one believes the Bible (Gen 2:24).
There is no one to blame, only people that mourn.
Matt Bailey says
I have one ore comment. Your comment about “shame on whoever released this to the press” …. Really?? Isn’t that what Trina does best??!!!
Mike Mahathy says
Shame on Kristy Heitman? Really? She is one that relessed to authorities and all we have heard is how they do not release information.
Myra Mansfield says
Just because someone says they journal that they are depressed does not classify as a suicide note. Also, you don’t write a suicide note on a computer. Alex Heitman was the one who questioned school spending. Twisting that truth is part of the coverup. I find it hard to believe that Alex Heitman was such a magician that he could cause ORPD to hide reports and computer hardware for years, could cause the school budget to suddenly find a ton of money after Bailey retired, could somehow cause Bailey to tell him he couldn’t take his vacation on time because he needed to come to a meeting THAT morning, and Alex could cause Cocke County to totally botch their investigation and could even cause them to refuse to release information. I’m sorry but I can’t believe that Alex could orchestrate ALL THAT.
Susie Williams Taylor says
Thank you Myra….it is clear to me that many people who are voicing their opinion have not delved into all articles concerning Alex. Arrest were made for the fraud case, BTW…..reading the comments here just made me feel ill as they are soo uninformed. They can throw words at me forever and all they’re going to get back is a sick satisfaction. I won’t engage in this tit-for-tat dialogue as it’s a waste of energy. Thank you again Myra!
Matt Bailey says
Susie, you haven’t engaged in anything. The sick satisfaction is yours and Trinas, and more recently the Mansfield family. The widow has sadly answered all remaining questions. It’s your group of friends who cannot resolve that you have been wrong from the very start. And once again, let’s remember that you, Ron, and Kristie are all out of towners with no true investment in our lives in Oak Ridge ,yet you love to throw in your two cents worth. Find another community to disrupt. You folks are old news. It’s time to move on, find positive things to promote about Oak Ridge, and leave the baggage behind.
Mike Mahathy says
As I asked Myra, if you have evidence turn it over. That is what some demanded of the widow. If not please stop assinuating honorable people have done something wrong, please.
Matt Bailey says
1=-I’m not sure you’re qualified to determine what is, or is not a suicide note. Please detail your professional qualifications.
2–Please again your professional qualifications in determining who does, or does not, write a note on a computer.
3–Are the rest of your comments supposed to be coherent?
4–Are you REALLY qualified in any investigative work? Or is this all speculation? Let’s remember, you and your husband really do have a motive to work against Oak Ridge based on the Hendrix Creek fiasco you were involved in.
Joseph Lee says
.Ms.Mansfield,
The Heitman suicide is a family matter and it is and should be none of our business.
You have stated “Twisting the truth is part of the coverup.” Well, I could not agree more with that statement of yours. However, the conspiracy theorists including both locals and folks not living in our city, led by Councilwoman Trina Baughn, have done just that to advance their coverup.
The true coverup is the lack of an explanation to this community as to why this mob of disgruntled individuals has kept this story going in the media and used it as a means to make misleading accusations about the school system, the city government, Oak Ridge, East Tennessee and a lot of good people.
Are you people so clueless that you can not bring yourselves to imagine a connection between the WISC story and the release of personal information by the widow to the Oak Ridge Chief of Police? Do you think it was just a coincidence that both of these events took place on the same day? Really?
I repeat, this is none of our business. I respectfully request you and your tribe stand down, move on and focus on something else to complain about, like maybe real estate.
Please leave Ms. Kristie Kasperski and her child in peace.
Thank you.
Sandi Goldberg says
Joe, you do know that the Heitmans asked Trina to be their local representative in requesting the documents, right? And that Susie and Kristy have been working with the Heitmans at their request, right? And that at no time did any of of them ask for your help? So who is sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong? Look in a mirror and you will have your answer. I was not asked to participate in any way, just thought I would point out a few facts which you seem not to be aware of.
Matt Bailey says
Since I’m known for sticking said nose in places it might not belong, may I contribute this? Two out of town people, not known AT ALL for saying ANYTHING positive about Oak Ridge had two varying comments yesterday. First, their followers had NO idea that there was ever a note. Both ladies have been clamoring for public support based on false pretenses all along. Secondly, essentially one lady said they knew about it and the other said they didn’t. (I’m paraphrasing here). Now, does ANY of that make sense to anyone? How could they have varying stories after all these years? And by the way, the suicide note really isn’t anyone’s business but the family’s, is it?
It follows a trend of Trina Baughn’s of a failure of transparency, which is what she demands from everyone else but her followers. Surely Sandi you recognize this. How could you not? It’s been evident from the Stacy Powers letter to the Oak Ridger, to the school’s “culture of terror”, to this. Her group of supporter claim they want the facts out, yet all the while hiding what few “facts” they have and delivering verbal assaults based on supposition, rumors, speculation, and outright misrepresentation of issues. And that’s not what we deserve. We deserve better, according to Ms. Mansfield. Yes, we do.
Mike Mahathy says
Myra, I had planned to not comment again out of respect for the widow, son and Mr. Heitman’s family but I must address your comment.
The thought that someone was taking millions of dollars is beyond the scope of my imagination. First, the person you mentioned is an honorable man and while some may not agree with some of his decisions, which were approved by the BOE, that doesn’t make him any less honorable.
Further, beyond possibly having a school system credit card, no one person can spend money not written by school checks or transferred electronically to a city account. All expenditures are approved by the Director of Finance office and expenditures in the realm of a “ton of money” would be approved by the BOE.
So whatever you are saying (suggesting) would have required cooperation at high levels.
Now, there was not a ton of money available after Dr. Bailey left. Your statement sadly shows a misunderstanding of budget and expenditures. I will give you the benefit of doubt that you haven’t invested the time and understanding needed to know 1) what is required by public law, 2) school budgeting and 3) how expenses are allocated and spent.
Mike Mahathy says
Further Myra and whoever you may be talking with, if you have evidence of a crime then you should turn it over to police. More than one person (not necessarily you) had suggested the widow committed a crime by not turning over suicude note, not that any of us know what she did or did not do.
I assume you have no such evidence.
Kristy Herron says
No one has “bothered” the widow until earlier this week when she was solicited for comment by WISC news for comment. Unfortunately, the note should have been released years ago. It is a fact that not even Kristie knows what he was thinking – none of us do. The primary problem lies with getting answers and information. The Heitman’s aren’t trying to point fingers, they simply tried to gather the paperwork and files pertaining to this unfortunate incident; when they discovered it was incomplete, they started searching for answers. Who would blame them? I would be concerned if they didn’t research and try to get more information. The autopsy came into play when Jarnigan’s professionalism was jeopardized (who misidentified Alex?). I would also question that. Please let the family have their answers.
Sidenote: I would like to see us as supporters diagnosed as “wackos” from the DSM-V (I would take a diagnosis from the DSM-IV).
God Bless and have a safe weekend.
Mike Mahathy says
Please note I have not said wacko. I do think some of the theories I have heard from different sources, not you, are out there. I’m sorry you felt the need to block. You are still a good person to me.
Matt Bailey says
Kristy, I just don’t understand. If someone committed suicide in your family, would YOU release their note? And to whom? It might NOT be a fact that no one knew what he was thinking as you stated. The wife may have had a real good idea of what he was thinking…renting out their belongings to raise money??
Myra Mansfield stated that no one writes a suicide note on a computer…can you really support such a bizarre claim? Again, it’s an opinion stated as fact.
I don’t know if the Heitman’s have pointed fingers or not….but a certain band of people living in AND OUTSIDE Oak Ridge certainly have. And too often those people have confused opinion with facts and stated them as such.
It’s my understanding that the papers have been waiting for Trina and the attorney to pick up, based on comments I’ve read recently. Have they paid the money and picked them up yet?
It’s time to move on. Enough damage has been done to Oak Ridge. The accusations have been answered.
Our council member has embarrassed Oak Ridge time and time again. At this point, I don’t see how anyone could believe a single thing she has to say. She has twisted too many “facts” to her own goals. She’s gone to the media with too many unsupported or absolutely false claims. She refuses to work with fellow council members in a positive manner to enhance the city of Oak Ridge.
It’s time for Trina Baughn to resign from the City Council of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Matt Bailey says
Kristy Herron and Susie Williams:
Below I did a cut and paste of your comments today. One of you claims the family knew about the note, the other claims it was never shared with the parents until this week.
As you know, I disagree strongly with both of you and many in your camp about this whole mess. But, I cannot imagine that you and others in your group don’t speak often. THIS is exactly the kind of activity that is harming a community that neither of you live in. Your lives are based on your communities and it’s well-being. This the perfect example, I believe, of exactly why you are both harming my community. One spouts one thing, the other declares another. Which of you is wrong? Why do you have two tales? Are you claiming different things for a reason? What’s your motivation? HOW could you have two different comments and beliefs about something you’ve both been screaming about for years?
In all honesty, you are making my point. Your FB groups have claimed all kinds of “facts”, with apparently no real knowledge of anything. Even people on your pages today are asking why YOU didn’t reveal this. You’ve deceived your own followers by admitting you were aware of this.
And honestly, the sickest part is when another follower asked this: “Does anyone know what was in the note”? It’s none of his business, my business, anyone’s business. WHY would you WANT to know? Isn’t it a little more than bizarre that someone would WANT to know what’s in someone else’s suicide note?
Both of your comments are here:
Kristy Styles Herron The letter was on his home computer in Knox County. It was never printed and the family knew about it; Kristie found it and mentioned it to the family. It was only this week, after the WISC news interview she turned it over the authorities. This type on information could have been very helpful in the investigation.
Susie Williams Taylor “We” have known about an alledged note…..however, it wasn’t shared with the parents of Alex….until this week. BTW, thank youMelanie for posting as I thought it already was…..it was in the main What’s Happening. I won’t say much more re this case as I don’t want to jeopardize anything……it will eventually all come out.
Matt Bailey says
Before we all head to the gym to see the basketball game, let’s take a look at the latest Trina Baughn comments to John here at Oak Ridge Today:
“In spite of her claimed desires for privacy, this entire ordeal could have been handled outside of the public eye had Kristie Kasperski simply provided the Heitmans with the supposed note in its original, unedited format whenever she first discovered it.”
As noted previously, one of Trina’s entourage, Ms. Herron has written publicly that the parents knew of the note. Once again, the Baughn camp continues to talk out both sides of its mouth.
Secondly, the audacity of our council member to use the phrase “supposed note”. That’s rude and insensitive. Are you now suggesting that the widow is conspiring to manufacture evidence?
And lastly, “original, unedited format”. Of course suggesting that the note has possibly been altered.
Have you no shame whatsoever? Is there absolutely no stopping point?
Mark Caldwell says
It’s nice to have a hobby, but…
By the way, the DSM-V does not contain the term “wacko” as a diagnosis term. It does explore “personality disorders. The four defining features of all personality disorders are:
1) Distorted thinking patterns,
2) Problematic emotional responses,
3) Over- or under-regulated impulse control, and
4) Interpersonal difficulties.
The different personality disorders can be grouped into three clusters:
Cluster A (the “odd, eccentric” cluster);
Cluster B (the “dramatic, emotional, erratic” cluster); and,
Cluster C (the “anxious, fearful” cluster).
Hope this helps.