Local News

Fmr. Commissioner Hamm's Stepdaughter Found Dead

BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) ― The stepdaughter of a former Baltimore Police Commissioner has been found dead.

Weijia Jiang reports former Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm's 39-year-old stepdaughter was found in the 3500-block of Garrison Avenue in Northwest Baltimore Friday morning.

The Baltimore City Police Department is investigating Nicole Sesker's death as a homicide.

"There were signs of trauma that have led to the conclusion that it was a homicide," said Sterling Clifford, spokesperson for Baltimore City Police.

Sesker's struggle with heroin addiction, and Hamm's experiences trying to help her, were detailed in a 2005 article in The New York Times.

WJZ spoke with Sesker about her addiction three years ago.

"A second at a time. It's not even about taking it one day at a time. It's taking it one second at a time, and I mean you just do what you gotta do because drugs is a small part of a larger problem," said Sesker in an August 2005 interview.

Ending his stepdaughter's addiction became Hamm's mission. Out of all of them, it may have been his toughest case.

"It taught me a certain code that people who are hooked on narcotics, it told me about a value system they had. It told me the person you raised as a child, once they get hooked on drugs, that's not the same person, so you have to change how you deal with that person who's on drugs," said Hamm.

Neighbors on West Garrison say they saw Sesker just a night ago, so they were shocked with Friday morning's news.

Hamm resigned last summer after 2 1/2 years as police commissioner. His successor, Frederick Bealefeld, delivered the news about Sesker's death.

Hamm is now director of public safety at Coppin State University. 

Mayor Sheila Dixon released a statement about the death. 

"I was saddened to learn of the death of Nicole Sesker.  Nicole's stepfather, Leonard Hamm, served the City of Baltimore with honor and distinction for over 30 years.  Commissioner Hamm often spoke of his love and affection for Nicole. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hamm and Sesker families."

State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy released this statement regarding the death of Sesker.

"I was deeply saddened to learn today of the untimely passing of Nicole Sesker, the daughter of Leonard Hamm. It is a heartfelt tragedy when any parent suffers the loss of a child, and this speaks to each of us that we are never immune from such devastating loss.  I extend my condolences to Commissioner Hamm and his family during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with them over the coming days."

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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