Newton death not suspicious
By Nathan Mayberg
NEWTON — The Sussex County Prosecutor's Office does not presently believe there was foul play in the death of a 53-year-old Newton man found in a parking lot last week.
Thomas Thum, 53, was found dead in the parking lot of Newton Pizza at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6 by a deliveryman, Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller said.
At this point, the prosecutor's office believes Thum died from a head injury he sustained falling in the parking lot.
However, Mueller cautioned that he was awaiting a report from the medical examiner's office before making an official ruling.
A toxicology report is also pending.
Mueller said there is a hill near the back of the lot where there is little lighting, which could have been a factor in Thum's death.
"Based on the investigation, there was nothing suspicious about the death," Mueller said.
Newton police, state police and the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office investigated the death.