The controversy over the suicide of Virginia Quarterly Review managing editor Kevin Morrissey, 52, has escalated, reports the New York Times, with the University of Virginia, which publishes the literary journal, closing down the journal’s office and canceling the Winter issue while an internal investigation is conduced.

Morrissey’s family had made accusations, after the suicide, that Morrissey was the victim of workplace bullying by VQR editor Ted Genoways that might have contributed to his decision to take his own life;  Genoways denies the accusations.  A statement released on Aug. 19 announced that the University would investigate.

Here’s more info from the NYT:

Three of the five remaining staff members of the Review, based in Charlottesville, have removed their names from the masthead, said Carol Wood, a spokeswoman for the University of Virginia.

“The staff has been through a lot, and they needed to step away and take some time,” she said. “We thought it might be best for all involved on the staff to take a break and step back and wait for the conclusion of the internal review.”

VQR is among the most highly regarded literary magazines in the US, known especially for lengthy nonfiction pieces featuring original reporting on current events.  The journal also curates a well-regarded poetry book series through the University of Georgia Press.