Assistant County Attorney Robert Livingston, facing charges of attempted sexual battery of a child, committed suicide by shooting himself in a canoe on Newnans Lake Tuesday morning, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.



ASO spokesman Art Forgey said Livingston rented a canoe about 8 p.m. Monday night at Kate’s Fish Camp on Hawthorne Road and failed to return.



Livingston was reported missing about 10 a.m. Tuesday. Deputies began searching, including by boat and by air, Forgey said.



Deputies were on the dock at Kate’s as Livingston was spotted paddling into the canal at Kate’s about 11 a.m. He reportedly shot himself then.



“He was at the edge of the lake about to paddle back up to Kate’s Fish Camp when they spotted him. As he got close...that’s the point he shot himself,” Forgey said. “Our deputies jumped in the water and were able to pull the canoe over to the side and tried to save his life. Our deputies actually witnessed it.”



Alachua County Commission Chairman Robert Hutchinson, an advocate for more mental health care and awareness, said that Livingston did not get help he needed.



“I can't imagine the depth of despair that Rob was in, and this is an overwhelming loss for family, friends, colleagues and the community,” Hutchinson said in text message. “He spent fourteen hours on the lake in a small boat during rough weather, a real testament to his paddling skills. I'll always regret our failure to help him weather the more difficult storm within.”



Livingston was arrested last week on two counts of attempted sexual battery on a child and one count of child abuse. He was released from jail on $50,000 bond.



A Gainesville Police officer said at Livingston’s first appearance hearing that Livingston possibly faced additional charges once the evidence collected at his house, including electronics.



Melissa Livingston, his wife, was charged with child abuse.



Livingston was arrested Aug. 24 following an investigation into allegations he inappropriately touched a 17-year-old girl in June.



The girl told Melissa Livingston that Livingston had sexually abused her, the report said.



The second attempted sexual battery charge Livingston faces stems from a report from another young woman who told investigators he molested her several times over a one-year period in 2012, a report shows.



Livingston had worked for the county for about 20 years and was on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.



