[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A middle school counselor in Louisiana is dead after authorities say disturbing messages he allegedly sent to a teenage girl came to light, and the entire situation is as tragic as it is deeply unsettling.
Quinton Dixon (pictured above), a 44-year-old former counselor at Westdale Middle School in the city of Baton Rouge, was found dead on January 28 inside the cafeteria of an abandoned school. Police say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the coroner has officially ruled his death a suicide.
It’s a grim ending to a case that was already raising serious red flags.
Related: Theme Park YouTuber Adam The Woo’s Cause Of Death Revealed
Dixon had been placed on leave earlier this month after reports surfaced that he had allegedly been sending inappropriate messages to a former student. According to an arrest warrant obtained by The Advocate, the messages were allegedly sent over Instagram between November and January to a teenage girl who had previously been his student but was now in high school.
The alleged messages crossed lines no adult in a position of trust should ever come close to. Authorities claim Dixon asked the girl if she had a boyfriend, then told her she was attractive, hinted at a possible future romantic relationship with her, and even offered to drive her home. Investigators noted he continued messaging her despite knowing her age and knowing she was no longer his student.
Police reportedly characterized the tone and nature of the messages in stark terms:
“Consistent with grooming behavior in pursuit of an intimate relationship with the minor victim.”
The situation escalated when the girl told police that Dixon allegedly tried to speak to her while she was walking home from school. After that encounter, she reported the messages. The school was given copies of the communications, which led to Dixon being placed on leave while the investigation moved forward.
Before his death, Dixon was facing four counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Now, those charges will not see a courtroom, leaving many questions unanswered and a lot of pain in their wake.
Related: Tommy Lee Jones’ Daughter Was Allegedly Pregnant Months Before Tragic Death
Following news of his death, East Baton Rouge Parish school officials released a brief statement acknowledging the situation:
“Today, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System was notified of the passing of an employee.”
And that was that.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Consider contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, by calling, texting, or chatting, or go to 988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or check out StartYourRecovery.org.
[Image via Quinton Dixon/LinkedIn]
