Indicted Cumberland Co. Commissioner and Teacher Found Dead

A Cumberland County commissioner and teacher indicted for sexual battery was found dead Thursday.

Authorities found the body of 55-year-old Michael Speich in a field on his property with a gunshot wound to the head.

District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said a family member confirmed the identity of the body Thursday evening.

“It’s a tragic situation all across the board. We never wish this type of thing to happen,” Dunaway said. “Investigators observed a gunshot wound to the head and there was a firearm present on the scene. It’s a suspected suicide but it’s certainly under investigation to confirm that.”

A Cumberland County Grand Jury indicted Speich earlier this week for sexual battery by an authority figure and providing alcohol to a minor. The investigation began earlier this month after authorities received information that Speich had sexual encounters with a minor.

Dunaway said Speich’s death will force his office to conclude the investigation.

“We are going to complete our investigation into the sexual abuse allegations for the benefit of the victims,” Dunaway said. “There was an ongoing investigation into multiple other victims, so we owe it to them to complete the investigative file and have a discussion with the victims.”

Dunaway said information from the investigation will be released at a later time.

“At this point I’ll just say multiple other victims have been identified,” Dunaway said. “We’ve confirmed that there are multiple other victims of Mr. Speich’s behavior. There will be a time in the future where we can release more information, but I want to be able to have a meaningful conversation with the victims before I release any information publicly.”

The Cumberland County School Board held a moment of silenced prior to the beginning of Thursday’s meeting, led by board chair Teresa Boston.

“I’d like to ask that we remember the Speich family as we understand that he has passed away today,” Boston said, “as well as all of those who have been, who will be affected by the events of the last several days.”

Speich was employed as a teacher at Stone Elementary School and served as a 6th-district commissioner with the Cumberland County Commission.