A pastor from New Orleans, who was identified as a member of Ashley Madison, claimed his own life by committing suicide soon after the hack. 56-year-old John Gibson, who served as a teacher at a Baptist Theological Seminary, was discovered dead by his wife Christi after his name appeared among 32 million others who were believed to be using the popular hookup website to cheat on their partners.

Christi said that her husband had left behind a suicide note in which he claimed to have been struggling with addiction and depression. According to the suicide note, Gibson was very sorry for what he had done and even more worried that he would lose his job at the seminary.

“It was a moment that life doesn't prepare you for. I had to call my kids. How do you tell your kids that their dad is gone and that he took his own life? It wasn't so bad that we wouldn't have forgiven it, and so many people have said that to us, but for John, it carried such a shame,” shared Christi.

Christi also had a message for all the individuals and families that have been exposed due to the hack.

“These were real people with real families, real pain and real loss. But 'don't underestimate the power of love… Nothing is worth the loss of a father and a husband and a friend. It just didn't merit it. It didn't merit it at all,” she said.

Chuck Kelley, president of the seminary, hailed Gibson for the teacher and father he had been. In a tribute on the seminary’s website, Kelley said Gibson was a popular member of the faculty at Leavell College and particularly recognized for his acts of kindness to many members.

“John was the quintessential good neighbor,” he wrote.

According to Kelley, Gibson worked tirelessly in his spare time to offer cost-free car repair services to his students. He was known to often buy the necessary car parts with his own money and refuse payback when students offered to do so.

Thomas Strong, Dean of Leavell College, said that Gibson was a compassionate colleague who expressed his concern in tangible ways, to both faculty members and students.

“John was loved by the students because of his love for the ministry and for them; he was always a favorite. Our hearts are saddened as we miss greatly a significant part of our Leavell College family – a colleague – a friend. We are better because of John and the way God used him in our lives,” he said.

Investigators in Toronto are looking into a number of suicides that they believe are linked with the hack.

Photo Credits: Charisma News