DARRINGTON — School Superintendent Larry Johnson on Friday said he is grieving the death of district business manager Myra Lewis, along with many people in this close-knit community.
“She had a very special connection with us all and has left a vast emptiness in our lives,” Johnson said in a prepared statement, his first public comments since Lewis’ death two weeks ago.
Lewis, 46, was alone with Johnson at his home the evening of Oct. 8 when she collapsed. She was rushed to an Everett hospital and later died. Family members say they were told by doctors she tested positive for a controlled substance.
Johnson called the death “a tragic accident.”
He has been on paid leave since the death. The school district this week announced that it will investigate Johnson’s conduct.
“I want everyone in the community to know that I will take all steps available to me to expedite the conclusion of the investigation and look forward to returning to work as soon as possible,” he said Friday.
Johnson said he has hired an attorney to represent him. In a brief phone conversation, he said he couldn’t say anything beyond his prepared remarks.
“There’s an ongoing investigation,” he said. “It’d be inappropriate for me to make any statement.”
Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives also are investigating the death as a possible drug overdose. There have been no signs of foul play, and Johnson is not a suspect, sheriff’s spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said.
Johnson was placed on a two-week leave of absence immediately after the death.
The school district planned to send him a letter Friday, extending that leave so police and school officials can conduct their investigations, said Michael Patterson, a Seattle attorney representing the district.
Patterson said the district’s investigation will try to determine whether Johnson has been living up to the responsibilities of his office. It will be handled by Chris Burton of Reynolds Burton Law Firm in Auburn. Burton’s biography on the firm’s website says his primary background is in legal matters related to public schools.
Here is Johnson’s full statement:
“I would first offer my and my family’s deepest sympathy and condolences to Mrs. Lewis’ family, friends, coworkers, and the Darrington community. She had a very special connection with us all and has left a vast emptiness in our lives.
“The School District advised me, during the leave I recently requested to allow me to mourn Myra’s passing, that it was going to conduct its own investigation. This required that I retain the services of an attorney. He has advised me that I should not make any statements until the investigation has concluded.
“While I am certain that the investigation will show that this was a tragic accident for which no one is at fault, I must follow his advice.
“However, I want everyone in the community to know that I will take all steps available to me to expedite the conclusion of the investigation and look forward to returning to work as soon as possible.
“Thanks again to all of you who have been so supportive of the Green, Lewis and Johnson families.”
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com
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