Here’s a couple of links with more info.
One says gunshot wound. I wondered if he was married; says he had friendly relationship with ex-wife. One article I read the other day said the students hated him. The second article says students loved him.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Adams_(columnist)#Personal_life
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article244460137.html
https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/adams-mike-s-1964
Thanks for the further info on Mike Adams, lj!