Police have identified a man who hanged himself from his apartment window Thursday in Mount Vernon.

Authorities said the body of Azariah Kerr, 74, was found hanging from a fourth-floor window at around 7:20 a.m. at 150 S. Fifth Ave., as commuters made their way to work and children headed to school. Witnesses reported that his body was dangling from a nylon rope.

Neighbors remember Kerr, whom they affectionately called "Mr. General," as a nice man who drove a taxi for a living and sang gospel. "He was very friendly. Always talking about God," said neighbor Robert Lattimer. 

They said Kerr spoke about going back to Jamaica and that he had financial problems. "He didn't bother anybody," said resident Rebecca Johnson. "He was a nice person." His neighbors said they wished that Kerr had reached out to them before taking his own life.

Authorities initially withheld Kerr's identity as they investigated his death and notified his family. They said a note was found inside his apartment and that no foul play is suspected in his death.