Police say Mia Farrow’s brother killed himself

CASTLETON, Vt.  — Mia Farrow’s brother, a sculptor and local fixture in this college town, killed himself at his art gallery, state police and a spokeswoman for the actress said Wednesday.

Patrick Farrow, 66, died of a single gunshot wound to the head late Monday night in his studio, a converted church, authorities said.

Farrow and his wife, Susan, regularly walked along the main thoroughfare in Castleton, a central Vermont town of about 4,300 not far from the New York border.

Tom Conroy, a communications professor at Castleton State College, which is located just behind the Farrows’ home and art gallery, said he took a freshman class to see Farrow’s sculptures every October.

“It’s hard to think of Castleton without them,” Conroy said. “They were a part of the town and they were a part of the campus for a lot of us.”

Police had initially classified Farrow’s death as suspicious, but later said the medical examiner’s ruling of suicide was consistent with evidence found at the scene.

Patrick and Mia Farrow are the children of director John Farrow and actress Maureen O’Sullivan. Mia Farrow’s movie credits include “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Hannah and Her Sisters” and “Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

“The family of Patrick Farrow is grieving the tragic loss of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who sadly chose to take his own life,” said Mia Farrow’s manager, Laura Berwick. “They greatly appreciate the support of their friends during this difficult time.”

Farrow was a professional sculptor for more than 35 years. The Web site for the Farrow Gallery says it sells jewelry and mixed-media works of art. The gallery was quiet Wednesday.

Community members said they’ll miss Farrow.

“He and Susan both are very integral to this community,” said Meg Fitch, one of the librarians at the Castleton Free Library, just down the street from the Farrows. “They’re just very friendly people, very warm people. I don’t even know how to express it. I just felt such grief yesterday when I heard the news.”