(Ames, Iowa) — Ames police have confirmed the death of a Marshalltown High School staff member. KCCI reports that in a Monday news release, Ames police said 47-year-old William Terry, of Ames, was found dead at a home on Columbine Circle Thursday. Marshalltown police were conducting a sexual exploitation allegation investigation at the time and heard a gunshot inside the home. “Based on the initial investigation, it appears the male died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot,” Ames police said.

Terry was an Associate Principal at Marshalltown High School. Marshalltown police said they received allegations on July 6 of inappropriate sexual contact between a former employee with the Marshalltown Community School District and a former student.

Marshalltown Police Chief Michael Tupper said in a statement, “There was an ongoing pattern of conduct by Mr. Terry involving the student where he had some inappropriate communication, and ultimately had inappropriate physical contact with our victim, and that’s what led to the investigation and ultimately, the filing of the criminal charges.” Tupper said the investigation remains active despite Terry’s death.

Terry’s was the third Marshalltown School District employee to face accusations in the last month. Tupper said the cases are not related and that he does not believe there are systematic issues in the Marshalltown Community School District. The district issued the following statement:

“The Marshalltown Community School District is aware of the death of a former staff member announced today by the Marshalltown Police Department. The former staff member was being investigated by police in relation to allegations involving a former student. Student safety is the number one priority for the Marshalltown CSD, and any accusation of a crime which may impact student safety is taken very seriously. This is an active investigation, and any questions should be directed toward the (Marshalltown Police Department).”

Marshalltown’s superintendent said the district plans to better protect students by revisiting social media rules, requiring licensed staff to take training and looking at other districts’ employee-student communication policies.