Pastor outed as Ashley Madison client commits suicide (Photo : REUTERS/CHRIS WATTIE)
Seminary teacher and pastor John Gibson who was named recently as a client of the controversial online dating and social networking service Ashley Madison has claimed his own life against the backdrop of the recent disclosure.
Father-of-two Gibson worked at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as a teacher and was found dead by his wife. He is one among many victims who have claimed their own lives since online cyber criminals hacked the site and revealed millions of names of alleged users.
The pastor, 56, who left a suicide note had said he was "very sorry" and that he was doubtful and worried that he would lose his job over the recent scandalous revelation.
Gibson who is reported to have been struggling with addiction had also been battling with depression. According to CNN Money, his wife Christi Gibson said nothing could prepare her for the shock of discovering his body.
Gibson's daughter Callie was in the midst of a lecture with more than 200 students before her when her mother called and gave her the dreadful news.
Gibson's wife said the recent unfortunate revelation was not something the family would have held against him. She said many of the family's friends have reiterated the same sentiments but she added that for Gibson it carried a stigma of shame that weighed heavily.
Seminary President Chuck Kelley was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying on his blog that Gibson was a popular staff member of the Leavell College faculty. Kelly said he was especially remembered for his kindness and described him as the "quintessential good neighbor."
Kelly said the seminary teacher will spend his spare time fixing cars of seminary students for free and often buy the parts himself out of his own pocket and refuse to accept money when students wanted to pay.
