Diamond Foods Director Silveira Reportedly Committed Suicide

Joseph P. Silveira, a member of the board of directors of Diamond Foods

, reportedly committed suicide. The California-based company has short obituary on its Web site dated Nov. 17, but CNBC reported that it spoke to the local coroner's office and the coroner is saying Silveira died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Silveira was a member of Diamond's audit committee. The company is facing a spate of shareholder lawsuits related to its $1.4 billion deal to acquire Procter & Gamble's

Pringles brand. The deal has been delayed as Diamond is facing an accounting investigation. Negative press has weighed heavily on the stock as it's down almost 49% in the past month. Ohio-based P&G isn't named in any suits against Diamond. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Joseph P. Silveira, a long-standing member of our Board of Directors. Joe's distinguished history with Diamond Foods traces back to his service on the Board of our predecessor company. His many contributions to Diamond Foods and the California grower community, in which he was deeply involved, will be remembered by all who knew him. On behalf of Diamond Foods and the Board of Directors, I would like to express our sincere condolences to the Silveira family," Diamond CEO Michael J. Mendes said in the obituary.