PHILADELPHIA (PA)
NBC 10
Sex charges were dropped against a Philadelphia priest on Wednesday after his accuser died of a drug overdose.
Sean McIlmail, 26, was found dead last week. He was an alter boy under Fr. Robert Brennan and alleged the priest sexually abused him 15 years ago — eventually coming forward in Jan.
“Sean suffered in silence for over a decade,” said Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams on Wednesday. “Sean found his own way of self-medicating, which unfortunately led to his death.”
Williams dropped rape and sexual assault charges levied against Brennan saying there was no longer enough evidence — direct or circumstantial — to continue a trial.
He called McIlmail courageous and a voice for child sexual abuse victims.
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