UPDATED — SC Hospitality Association President Found After Suicide
After ten days, Columbia police announced that they found the body of SC Hospitality Association chief executive and lobbyist Tom Sponseller at 10:45 a.m. in the association’s Lady Street parking garage in downtown Columbia.
According to Columbia police, the cause of death for the 61 year old Sponseller was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A 9mm pistol was found near the body which was located in an electrical room that until today had not been searched because it was locked and police did not obtain a key.
Also found, according to Chief Randy Scott, was an apparent suicide note in Sponseller’s office that directed police to his body’s location and referenced a federal investigation in to the association’s finances. Scott did not further elaborate on the note’s contents.
Greenville restaurateur and South Carolina Hospitality Association board chairman Rick Erwin who is also serving as the association’s interim president issued this statement on the association’s behalf this afternoon.
“Our board and staff are profoundly saddened by the announcement of Tom Sponseller’s death. I do not have the words to convey the sadness of losing our leader and friend.
“Utmost in our hearts and minds are Tom’s wife and family, who were his pride and joy. They came first in everything he did. Our prayers are with them in this tragic hour.
“Professionally, Tom in many ways was the face of South Carolina’s $14 billion tourism industry. He guided our industry through good times and bad, quietly working for the good of every person employed in the industry.
“The number of jobs he helped create in South Carolina through his work with the Legislature and many governors cannot be estimated. Suffice it to say South Carolina’s economy is stronger, and tourism’s future brighter, because of his dedication.”
Sponseller was reported missing on Saturday, February 18, 2012 by his wife who called Columbia Police when Sponseller missed his grandson’s Pinewood Derby at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon.
UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: Excerpts of Sponseller’s suicide note are now being released. In it, he wrote about Rachel Duncan, the former Hospitality Association employee who is currently a subject in the federal investigation of the association’s missing money. He said that in her 11 years with the association, she had “become like a daughter” and that he was ashamed of what happened.
Sponseller wrote, “It is quite disappointing that all the work our members and staff put into building one of the best associations in the state has been jeopardized by the stupid actions of one person and not detected until the amount was so large the police found it first because I had failed to make sure everything was right.”
“I am sorry it ended like this,” Sponseller added. He closed the letter by saying, “I am a huge disappointment to everyone, my family, my friends, business associates and others. I let everyone down and have embarrassed those who I love the most, my wife, kids, and grandkids. I am so sorry I have failed you. Please find a way to forgive me in your hearts.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: We are truly saddened at the passing of Tom Sponseller. Our prayers are with Tom’s family as they begin to grieve the loss of a husband, father, and grandfather. If you or someone you know is in crisis, before taking any action, PLEASE reach out. You can always call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273- 8255.
