Hinsdale Firefighter Takes Own Life, Shocking Family: Report

HINSDALE, IL — The family of 27-year-old firefighter Nicole Hladik, who took her own life Tuesday, was taken by complete surprise, according to a WGN news report. She was the only current female firefighter in the Hinsdale Fire Department and the third ever in the village's history, the TV station said.

Her family is seeking answers from the DuPage County coroner.

“Our goal is, we just want someone to look into this, it’s not an accusation. It’s just the facts are, how could someone who was so happy and loved what she was doing go from one spectrum to the other end? It just doesn’t make any sense,” her brother, Joseph Hladik, told WGN.

Nicole Hladik was sworn in as a firefighter last fall.

"The village of Hinsdale is heartbroken over the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Candidate Nicole Hladik, who took her life today," Village Manager Kathleen Gargano said in a statement. "This is a devastating loss for her family and friends, the Fire Department, and the entire village. We have been in contact with Nicole’s family and brought in grief counseling for our fire department. In the coming days, the village will seek an external evaluation to better understand what happened to one of our own. We are grateful for having Nicole as a part of our village family. Her death is a loss for all of us, and we will keep everyone in our prayers."

Bartlett Professional Firefighters Association Local 3982 also mourned the loss.

"We are heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of Nicole Hladik who was a member of the Hinsdale Fire Department," the Bartlett Professional Firefighters Association Local 3982 wrote. "Please look out for one another and encourage those who may need help, to get the help they deserve."

Anyone who is struggling can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by texting HOME to 741741.

Read the WGN story about Nicole Hladik.