Penn Athletics assistant John Walton, 29, died on Feb. 25

A Penn Athletics assistant died by suicide on Feb. 25 in his home. He was 29 years old.

John Walton was an Operations Assistant in the Athletics Department Facilities and Operations division and began his employment in June 2015, Director of Athletic Communications Mike Mahoney wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian. Mahoney added that staff members were notified of Walton's death through an email that was sent to members of the Facilities and Operations division.

“Very tragically, my son's death was by suicide,” his mother Mary Walton told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “There was no history of depression, he was doing well academically, had a strong circle of long-term friends, and no obvious explanation we have discovered. So many people loved him dearly. We are all heartbroken.”

As part of the Athletics Department, Walton worked with Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics practices, competitions, and events. He also coordinated logistical information for visiting teams.

Walton previously worked as an assistant at the Penn Law School in 2012. He also served as a personal aide to a former Penn student with muscular dystrophy.

A graduate of the Community College of Philadelphia, Walton was working towards a degree in Sport and Recreation Management at Temple University.

Since February of 2013, there have been 14 students from Penn who have died by suicide.

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