Posted on 02/11/2003 7:39:27 AM PST by Theodore R.
Accused minister kills self Mandy M. Goodnight / The Town Talk Posted on February 11, 2003
BALL -- A United Methodist pastor recently accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy died Monday from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, Rapides Parish sheriff's detectives said.
The body of George A. McVay Jr., 72, was found on the back porch of his home at 206 Washboard Road near Ball with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Maj. Herman Walters said notes and other indicators were found in the house, which point to the incident being planned.
McVay was arrested Jan. 31 after a 13-year-old boy claimed the pastor had molested him.
The investigation had been ongoing since McVay's arrest, and another juvenile victim had come forward, Walters said Monday.
Detectives searched McVay's residence last week as a result of the investigation.
McVay was charged in January with six counts of molestation of a juvenile in the case involving the 13-year-old boy. Investigators said it is believed the molestation of the juvenile had gone on for about a year.
The boy apparently told his mother what was happening, and she filed a complaint, detectives said.
The alleged incidents occurred at McVay's residence.
Details on the second victim's complaint against McVay were not released.
McVay ministered two churches in Rapides Parish - Bethel United Methodist Church in Deville and Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Pineville. McVay was listed as an active pastor prior to his death, Walters said. It is unknown if either of the victims are members of McVay's congregations.
On Monday, crime-scene tape encircled McVay's trailer on the usually quiet Washboard Road near Ball.
Detectives said 9-1-1 received a call about 9:05 a.m. reporting a gunshot victim at McVay's home. It is unknown who reported finding his body, Walters said.
However, a number of family members live nearby. It is believed McVay died Monday, detectives said.
Family members gathered at McVay's home as detectives went about their investigation. One man rushed past the police tape and was grabbed by a deputy.
The man was visibly upset as he struggled to get away from the deputy and up to the house. Finally, he was allowed to go to the house.
The large gathering of family members stood in the yard for a few minutes, consoling each other, before going to a house next door.
Neighbors also gathered on the street to see what had happened. They commented that the neighborhood is typically quiet, and they were shocked to see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles coming down their road.
One neighbor said he had talked to McVay on occasion and thought he was a nice, pleasant man.
None wanted to comment on McVay's recent arrest. Most said they did not know anything about it except what they read in the newspaper.
McVay's body was sent to Bossier City for an autopsy, Walters said.
The pastor was a widower and had two children.
Ball police and Ball Fire Department firefighters along with sheriff's deputies responded to the incident.
Mandy M. Goodnight: 487-6465;
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.