UPDATED: Michael Scott, school board president, committed suicide

UPDATE 8:14 PM Defender says that foul play was not ruled out in the death of Michael Scott:

Although the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott’s death a suicide, the Chicago Police Department said too many loose ends need to be shored up before it reaches a conclusion.

Police Supt. Jody Weis said Scott’s body was found at approximately 3:20 a.m. Monday by police along the Chicago River embankment in the 300 block of North Orleans, shortly after his blue, 2-door Cadillac was found a few yards away. He suffered a single gunshot to the left side of the head.

“We know what the M.E. ruled, and it’s one piece to the puzzle. We’re still looking at lots of open-ended questions that need to be tightened up,” Weis said at a news conference Monday at police headquarters on 35th Street and Michigan Avenue.

Scott was partially in the water –– head and shoulders –– and a .380 caliber pistol was found underneath his body. No note was found at the scene, according to police.

UPDATE 4:18 PM According to Crain's Taking Names blog Michael Scott would have been an honoree at a charity fundraiser:

Stunned organizers of Life Directions, an organization that works with at-risk students in Chicago Public Schools, had planned to honor Mr. Scott with its Guiding Light award.

The event at the University of Chicago will instead serve as a eulogy of sorts, with a moment of silence for the man friends hailed for his dedication to their cause.

Organizers said Mr. Scott had indicated last week that he'd be attending and would have a table of 10 along with him. Event planners were still trying to determine who would receive the award on Mr. Scott's behalf.

The non-profit credits Mr. Scott with getting hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding over the years and bringing its work to the attention of Mayor Richard M. Daley.

 UPDATE 10:46 AM Earlier this Chicago Breaking News story reported that a body tentatively identified as Michael Scott, President of the Chicago Board of Education was found in the Chicago River. That story has been updated indicating that Scott shot himself in the head along the banks of the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart. Sad and disturbing story!

AT 9:26 AM Tribune:

A body tentatively identified as Michael Scott, president of the Chicago Board of Education, was found in the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart this morning, police sources said.

A blue Cadillac registered to Scott, 60, was found parked next to a trash bin yards away from the river.

A police spokesman said the identification was preliminary. The Cook County medical examiner's office has not yet positively identified the body.

Scott's family, concerned about his whereabouts, had contacted police Sunday night, reporting he was missing.

A member of Scott's family said he had visited his sister at a South Loop care facility on Sunday and was last seen about 6 p.m.

The relative said he visited his sister regularly on Sundays and described him as a creature of habit.

Police were called to the Chicago Apparel Center at 350 N. Orleans in the River North neighborhood about 3:15 a.m. and found the man in the water behind the building, off Kinzie, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro.

The Cadillac was found in a parking lot along the river. It was winched onto a tow truck about 6:30 a.m.