Autopsy finds that Rep. Dan Johnson died from self-inflicted gunshot wound

Courier Journal

"The people who run for office are just people, and there are no perfect people," said State Rep. Dan Johnson as he spoke to the media Tuesday morning from his Heart of Fire Church. "I think there are people who have taken that and used it as political rocks to be thrown." Johnson said sexual abuse allegations made in an article published by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting are "without merit."

State Rep. Dan Johnson died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to an autopsy performed by the Bullitt County coroner.

Johnson was found dead around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday at River Bottoms, a site on Greenwell Ford Road in Mount Washington. The coroner, David Billings, originally ruled it a "probable suicide" late Wednesday night.

Background:Rep. Dan Johnson dies by suicide days after being accused of sexual abuse

Who was Dan Johnson? Take a look at the Kentucky politician and preacher's background

Johnson died by suicide a day after he said he would not resign over sexual abuse allegations published in a report by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting.

Elected to represent the 49th District in the state House last year, Johnson was accused by a woman of molesting her when she was 17 after a New Year’s party in 2012, KyCIR reported.

Both Republican and Democratic leaders called for Johnson to resign, but he said at a press conference Tuesday that he would not step down and that the accusations were false.

Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, Johnson posted to Facebook a farewell to his church followers and family.

"The accusations from NPR are false GOD and only GOD knows the truth. Nothing is the way they make it out to be ... GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT," Johnson wrote.

The post was taken down later Wednesday evening.

Johnson is survived by his wife, Rebecca. He had five children, according to KyCIR.

Thomas Novelly: 502-582-4465; tnovelly@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @TomNovelly. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/tomn.

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