NATION : Homeless Activist Mitch Snyder Found Hanged at D.C. Shelter

WASHINGTON — Mitch Snyder, a nationally-recognized homeless advocate was found dead today, an apparent suicide in a local homeless shelter he helped found, a city councilman’s office reported.

A local television station reported that Snyder apparently had hanged himself and had been depressed recently.

Police confirmed it was investigating a death at the shelter but refused to release the name or cause of death. But an aide to City Councilman Harry Thomas said police told Thomas that it was Snyder and they were investigating a possible suicide.

Snyder, 46, who enlisted movie stars and other celebrities in his campaign, nearly died several times during long periods of fasting to protest what he said was lack of government funding to help the homeless.