Alex Jones offers condolences in Richman’s death.

NEWTOWN — Jeremy Richman’s dedication finally appeared to be paying off.

His crusade with other families of the Sandy Hook tragedy for gun control was getting support in the U.S. and Connecticut legislatures and it appeared they had Sandy Hook denier Alex Jones backed up against a wall in their lawsuits against him.

So his suicide early Monday morning in the stage area of Edmond Town Hall left many people who knew him devastated and puzzled.

“The brain is a wondrous organ, and like other organs, it can be healthy and unhealthy. It’s the organ that houses our memories, feelings and behaviors.” Richardman, a neuroscientist, said at a conference in Washington State last year.

Richman’s daughter, Avielle, was killed in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook school.

Richman and his wife, Jennifer Hensel, are among the plaintiffs in a defamation suit against Jones.

“From the beginning, we have said that Jones knowingly peddled false and malicious narratives in order to make money at the expense of the Sandy Hook families' grief, safety and security,” said their lawyer, Joshua Koskoff.

He declined to comment on Richman’s death.

Jones recently hired controversial New Havenbased lawyer Norm Pattis to represent him in the Connecticut case.

Pattis released a statement Monday afternoon about Richman’s death.

“We note the tragic passing of Jeremy Richman with heavy hearts and profound sorrow,” he said. “Mr. Jones sends his condolences to Mr. Richman’s family and wishes only for peace.”

Pattis added that, “Mr. Jones remains resolute in his defense of the underlying claims and will defend the lawsuit on its merits.”

Last week, Judge Barbara Bellis denied Jones’ lawyer’s request for a delay in handing over records to the plaintiffs, and Jones was ordered to provide sworn testimony on the case.

Bellis is allowing the plaintiffs’ lawyers to depose Jones and other defendants for a total of 19 hours.

Jones has said publicly that the Sandy Hook massacre, in which 20 children and six adults were killed, was “completely fake.” He has described the tragedy as a hoax and called the families paid actors.

Since the lawsuit was filed, however, his lawyers have confirmed their belief that the tragedy did, in fact, occur.

“Children and educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School, understandably scarring and causing extraordinary grief throughout the community,” Jones’ lawyer argued in January while trying to get a venue change. “People who have lived this close to such a horrific tragedy cannot be expected to think about it unemotionally, particularly when an attorney representing its victims is directly and falsely accusing third parties (in this case, defendants) of callously profiting from their grief.”

The defamation lawsuits in Connecticut are separate from two lawsuits filed against Jones in Texas by parents of first-graders who were slain in the shooting.

Anyone contemplating suicide or is need of emotional support, help is available 24/7 through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The lifeline is free, confidential and available any time by calling 1-800-2738255 or by visiting www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.