Why did Jeffrey Parker kill himself? CEO of MARTA was working on an ambitious project
Jeffrey Parker, CEO of MARTA, Atlanta's public transportation system, killed himself on Friday, January 14 night. He was 56 years old. MARTA Chairwoman Rita Scott said in a statement, “He was an outstanding leader and steward of MARTA whose passing leaves us all heartbroken. As chairwoman and on behalf of my fellow MARTA board members, we are devastated at this loss as we valued Jeff’s leadership and looked forward to him bringing his vision for transit to fruition. The entire metro Atlanta region owes him a debt of gratitude for his transformational efforts and we will not stop working to build on the foundation he created.”
"As we struggle to understand the complexity of this tragedy, we grieve with and for his wife Erin, his daughters and all of Jeff's family and friends as well as his MARTA family,” she added. The reason behind Parker's death was not explained by Scott, however, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated that he walked in front of a train at the Decatur station. According to the agency's profile, Parker, who was chosen CEO of MARTA in 2018, had more than 35 years of experience in the commercial and governmental sectors of the transportation industry. He was working on the most ambitious transit expansion and renovation initiative undertaken by the system since its inception forty years ago.
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“In addition to a remarkable professional career in the public and private sectors, Jeffrey was known for his civic engagement and support for the advancement of his communities,” Georgia Gov Brian Kemp said in a statement. "Marty, the girls, & I are saddened to learn about the tragic passing of Jeffrey Parker - GM/CEO of MARTA. In addition to a remarkable professional career in the public/private sectors, Jeffrey was known for his civic engagement and support for the advancement of his communities,” he added.
Statement from MARTA Board of Directors Chairwoman Rita Scott on the passing of MARTA General Manager & CEO Jeffrey Parker. pic.twitter.com/GiIYAUN9Y2
— CEOMARTA (@CEOMARTA) January 15, 2022
He had an incredible mind for transportation and logistics and a heart for people. He will be greatly missed.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 15, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his many colleagues. https://t.co/UbQphw5XQu
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 732 also grieved Parker's loss and sent sympathies to his family. It says, “We’re deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic death of MARTA on behalf of more than 2,500 brothers and sisters of ATU Local 732, We send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Parker’s Wife, Children and Entire Family.” The statement also remarked, "Parker understood the importance of MARTA and public transit for our city, our members, and our citizens.”
We’re deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic death of MARTA @CEOMARTA @MARTAservice on behalf of more than 2,500 brother and sisters of ATU Local 732, We send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Parker’s Wife,Children and Entire Family “@ATUComm pic.twitter.com/OokC6iaVhf
— ATU 732 - Atlanta (@atu732) January 15, 2022
If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.