Body found in Rotterdam library restroom; drugs suspected

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

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A man was found dead Thursday night at the Rotterdam branch of the Schenectady County Public Library, police said.

Police received a report at about 8:20 p.m. of an unresponsive man at the library at 1100 N. Westcott Road. When officers arrived, they found a dead, 25-year-old man in the bathroom, according to police spokesman Lt. Jason Murphy.

The cause was still being investigated Friday and an autopsy was to be performed. The results were not available Friday evening, nor was the man’s identity released.

Murphy said there were some obvious signs of drug use at the scene but would not elaborate. “There does not appear to be any foul play,” he said.

Joe McQueen, spokesman for Schenectady County, which oversees the library system, said the county is awaiting the results of the police investigation. He said there has been no indication of any ongoing security issues at the library.

Librarians doing their regular checks before closing for the night found the unresponsive man, McQueen said, and called police immediately.

Regarding the signs of drug use reported by police, McQueen said library workers, like all county employees, are instructed to immediately summon authorities if there is an indication of anything illegal or dangerous occurring.

“What staff is trained to do is, if they have any suspicion of any activity where something might not seem right, especially if they feel it’s a matter of health and safety, they are instructed to immediately dial 911,” McQueen said.