Prominent Connecticut environmentalists found dead in home in possible double suicide

A prominent Connecticut couple, widely known for their environmental activism before global warming was thrust into the national spotlight, was found dead in their home Tuesday.

The bodies Lou and Judith Friedman were discovered in their home in Canton by their family’s attorney. Police said their deaths are an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the public, according to WTIC-TV.

Canton Police Chief Christopher Arciero told the Hartford Courant that a preliminary investigation had concluded that their deaths were apparent suicides. Arciero declined to further comment on the cause of their deaths until the medical examiner concluded its investigation.

Lou, 81, and Judith Friedman, 80, were long known for advocating for environmental issues and putting energy-saving techniques into practice. Their home was one of the first houses in Connecticut to use solar panels for power. The New York Times featured the Friedmans in a 1992 profile piece that described them as “ahead of their time.”

According to The Courant, Lou Friedman also founded the Westledge School in Simsbury and Judith Friedman was in charge of the Peoples’ Action for Clean Energy, wrote several children’s books and ran a summer camp.

The Friedmans also discussed environmental issues across the globe, advocating for Promoting Enduring Peace and EarthKind. Both groups are based in Washington and Lou Friedman had worked for both of them at one point.

Residents and neighbors told the paper that their legacy will live on.

"They were nice people. They were always willing to help," Karen Bahre, the owner of Applegate Farms, told The Courant. She said that the Friedmans were frequent visitors of the farm and Judith Friedman offered to donate raspberries to the farm as well.

"That was her way," Bahre said. "She was gracious."

The Friedmans are survived by their three children.

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