A school custodian was found dead inside a South Jersey high school, prompting the cancellation of classes.
The woman’s body was found inside Mastery High School in Camden around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to NJ.com. She was only identified as a custodian who worked at the school.
Police said the woman’s death was not considered suspicious, according to NJ.com. Her body was found in a hallway at the school.
“On behalf of the Mastery Schools network, we extend our deepest sympathies to our colleague’s family, as well as to the students, families, and staff of Mastery High School of Camden,” Mastery Schools CEO Dr. Jeff Body wrote in a letter to the community. “Our thoughts are also with all of you as we navigate this difficult time together.”
Investigators suspect the woman died sometime overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning, NJ.com reported. It’s unclear when she began her shift on Tuesday night.
Mastery High canceled classes on Wednesday but reopened on Thursday. The school is part of the Mastery Schools charter organization, one of 24 such institutions across Philadelphia and Camden. Combined, Mastery Schools enrolls about 14,000 students, with around 850 attending Mastery High.
“We understand this news is difficult to process, and we want to assure you that safety is a top priority. At this time, police consider it a nonsuspicious death and their investigation is ongoing,” Boyd said, according to local ABC affiliate WPVI.
While the Mastery Schools operates six high schools in Philadelphia, Mastery High is the only equivalent institution in Camden. Mastery Schools was founded in 2001, and in July 2010, then-President Barack Obama singled out Mastery for praise for its work in improving troubled schools.
