OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Friends, family and colleagues of meteorologist Tom Johnston, who was found dead of an apparent suicide in Auburn on Thursday evening, remember him as a loyal friend and “ray of light,” following news of his death.

The body of the local meteorologist, who worked for television news station WCSH 6 in Portland, was found by Auburn police with assistance from the Maine Warden Service on Thursday.

He was reported missing April 3 after failing to return home from a function at Sunday River Ski Resort. Old Orchard Police asked for the public’s help locating Johnston on Thursday, when Police Captain David Hemingway said he failed to return home or to work.

According to WCSH 6, Johnston left Old Orchard Beach early Saturday to emcee the resort’s Springfest event. When he didn’t return home by the morning on April 3, his significant other — who has not been identified — filed a missing person’s report.

Auburn Police located his body in their city on Thursday night, but did not release details surrounding the investigation, including cause and manner of death, or what led them to his body.

They did, however, rule out foul play.

An autopsy was completed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Friday, said Administrator Mark Belserene in an email Friday, although results of the autopsy are not yet available.

“The autopsy is completed and the case is pending further studies for additional tests,” Belserene said in an email Friday.

WCSH 6 said Johnston — who worked for the channel the past three years and most often appeared on the the 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekday newscasts — and his enthusiasm would be missed, in a report early Friday morning.

“Tom loved to forecast and loved his job,” the news station told viewers. “He was at his best broadcasting or doing Facebook live shots in the middle of a blizzard.”

Friends of the meteorologist, known for his bold personality, say he was an “incredible guy” who warmed their hearts with his laugh and bright smile.

“Tom had an infectious enthusiasm for his work. His spunk and kindness will be missed by so many,” said Whitneigh Kinne, a former broadcast producer at WCSH 6 who now works as a social media coordinator for the Chicago Wolves. “The world lost a ray of light and I’m forever grateful to have known him. My heart is with his family.”

Johnston’s family released a statement on WCSH 6 on Saturday, thanking his fans, coworkers, friends and other family members for their support the past few days.
 
“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy of Tom’s death but having the overwhelming support from all of you, and hearing all the stories of how he inspired and touched each of your lives, is certainly helping us cope during this difficult time,” family members told the TV station.

“We think its (sic) mostly important for you all to know that the person you saw on TV was the same person we were so lucky to know in our daily lives. He lit up the room the same way he lit up your forecast.” 

Colleagues, present and former, to the man known locally as “TJ Thunder” also expressed their compassion.

“(Johnston) always brought the #sass to the day,” wrote WCSH 6 reporter Rob Nesbitt on Instagram on Friday. “Even if he did always win best hair contests, I still looked forward to seeing his smiling face each day to talk shop, skiing and pocket squares.”

Jackie Ward, a former WCSH 6 reporter now working for KPIX 5 in San Francisco, was one of Johnston’s closest friends during her time in Maine and said Friday she was “heartbroken” by the news of his death.

“You know when you just click with someone and you know in an instant you were destined to be great friends? That was me and TJ,” she said on her Facebook page. “What you saw on air was a glimpse into that unbreakable friendship. We were best buds and today, I’m heartbroken.”

Ward encouraged people to tell their friends and family they are loved, that they matter and that they mean a lot to others.

“And please hold (Johnston’s) family close to your hearts. He loved them even more than nailing a forecast,” she said. “I’ll never hear thunder roll the same way again.”

Belserene said it may be two or more weeks before autopsy results are released.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For help and more information, call 800-273-8255.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.