A former Kentucky church pastor arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with a minor died by apparent suicide just three days later, raising questions about his detainment and mental state.



On February 16th, 2026, David A. Rodgers, former worship pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, was arrested for charges related to an alleged relationship with a minor. After numerous reports of sexual encounters, Rodgers was removed from the position and sent to court. Though the investigation began in early January, the allegations dated back to nearly a decade.

Since the arrest, however, the 40-year-old was found dead on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, near his residence in Utica. According to Kentucky Today, the death was confirmed as an apparent suicide around 9:45 a.m. that morning.

In the investigation of the report, Rodgers had been engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor through a “bond of special trust”. With charges of third-degree rape, second-degree sodomy involving a position of authority, and first-degree sexual abuse, Rodgers had access to these young adults because of his role at the church (Owensboro Times).

After being taken into custody and confessing to the listed offenses, neither the Church nor the public predicted a suicide would take place 3 days later. Despite a family member posting the $75,000 cash bond, perhaps Rodgers saw no other way out.

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