Merrill Cause Of Death Official

The Maryland medical examiner’s office and police confirmed Friday that publisher Philip Merrill died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.

Maryland Natural Resources police said onboard the boat was Merrill’s cellphone, his wallet, which contained a large amount of money, and, in the rear of the boat, what appeared to be blood.

Executive editor of The Capital, Tom Marquardt, hopes the release of the report would allow the family to move on. “The family is really looking forward to closure at this point.”

The gun has not been found and a full autopsy report will be released in two to three months.

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