A key advisor to Letitia James, the city’s new public advocate, was found hanging in his Crown Heights apartment two days after her election win, authorities said.
Cops discovered Alfred Chiodo’s lifeless body at noon on Thursday after colleagues in James’ Fort Greene city council office became alarmed that the affable urban affairs director had missed several days of work.
His death is under investigation.
James, who skipped a victory party at the Somos El Futuro conference in Puerto Rico, described the loss as “heartbreaking” and said Chiodo, 57, was a visionary devoted to the community.
“Alfred was a kind man and generous spirit, and he will be deeply missed,” James said in a statement. “He looked at our city with rose-colored glasses, and saw what it could be.”
The tragedy stunned acquaintances.
“I’ve never seen him unhappy,” James’ niece Monique Robinson told the New York Post. “I couldn’t see him killing himself, not in a million years.”
Chiodo stood shoulder to shoulder with the councilwoman on hot-button issues, such as her objection to the Barclays Center arena and her bid to revamp the Flushing Avenue bikeway.
Community Board 2 officials who worked closely with Chiodo mourned his death.
“Alfred cared deeply about the district and was delightful in person,” said district manager Robert Perris.
