Boston priest accused of child rape found dead

The Massachusetts priest facing charges of attempted child rape and sexual abuse has died.

“With sorrow I received news this evening that the Rev. Paul LaCharite has died, an apparent suicide.  This is a shocking tragedy, and I've asked our diocesan community to pray for everyone concerned,” the Bishop of Massachusetts, the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, said last night.

Boston police are investigating the death of Fr. LaCharite, whose body was found at his home on 26 September 2012, and are awaiting the results of an autopsy. 

On 7 Sept the Middlesex District Attorney's office reported that Fr. LaCharite (65) had been taken into custody by the Somerville Police Department and charged with charged with attempted rape and assault and battery.  He was alleged to have repeatedly molested a young boy, now 26, over a period of ten years. The abuse began when the boy was 7 years of age and ended when Fr. LaCharite retired ten years later as rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Somerville, the victim alleged.

 “This is an unspeakable tragedy,” David Meier, a lawyer for LaCharite, told the Boston Herald. “Fr. Paul LaCharite was truly an innocent man who was driven to the depths of despair by a false accusation.”