Nationally renowned author Michael Dorris, who was found dead at age 52 on Friday morning in a motel room in Concord, N.H., was being investigated for possible sexual misconduct by the Hennepin County attorney’s office at the time of his death.
Just weeks before, Dorris had canceled a course he was to teach this quarter for the University’s English department.
Dorris’ aide cited health problems as the reason why Dorris would not be able to fulfill his obligation, but this week Concord authorities determined that the writer committed suicide by asphyxiation — his second attempt in two weeks — after suffering from bouts of severe depression.
After reports of the suicide, Jennifer Fling, a spokeswoman from the Hennepin County attorney’s office, acknowledged that her office had been reviewing allegations against Dorris of potential criminal sexual conduct involving children.
Fling said the allegations were handed over to her office for review by the Minneapolis Police Department.
Because of Dorris’ death, the office has halted any further investigation and on Tuesday turned the file back over to Minneapolis police. The department will review the file and release it for the public record.

— Tracy Ellingson