The head of the state office that investigates deaths and abuse in mental hospitals and other medical facilities has announced his retirement.

Robert J. Fitzgerald has been director of the state Division of Health Service Regulation for the last seven years. He said his retirement, announced to his staff earlier this month, is in no way tied to The News & Observer series on mental health reform, reports Michael Biesecker.

“This is entirely of my own volition,” said Fitzgerald, 64. “This had nothing to do with any outside events.”

Fitzgerald said his retirement is effective May 1. His annual salary is $119,759.

Read more after the jump.

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