.jpg)
His death was announced by the Archdiocese of Boston, while authorities continue investigating the case.
Madu died on July 2 at his residence in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, according to the Archdiocese of Boston, where he had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest on Cape Ann since 2021.
His religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29, while his home Diocese of Abakaliki had directed him to return to Nigeria before then for a new assignment scheduled to begin on August 4.
According to reports, Madu had repeatedly said he did not want to return to Nigeria because he feared for his safety.
In remarks to parishioners and in a farewell message posted on his parish’s website shortly before his death, he said his departure from the United States was beyond his control.
He wrote, “but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end.”
According to the Boston Globe, Madu suffered a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass on the Sunday before his death and was treated at a hospital emergency room.
Boston Archbishop Richard Henning later informed fellow priests in an internal email that Madu had “tragically took his own life,” according to a copy of the message seen by the National Catholic Register.
However, the Archdiocese of Boston’s public statement announcing his death did not describe it as a suicide.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the Massachusetts State Police are investigating the death. A spokesperson said foul play was not suspected.