Francis J. Kearse III died by suicide on Friday, March 27, just days before he was due to appear in court on Tuesday
Credit: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
An Ohio doctor has died by suicide just days before he was due to appear in court on prostitution and trafficking charges involving a 16-year-old girl.
Prosecutors accused Francis J. Kearse III, 43, of West Chester, of leading girls into “sugar daddy” relationships, according to FOX 19.
On Tuesday, March 31, Kearse was set to stand at Hamilton County Common Pleas Court for his arraignment at 8: 30 a.m, however, Assistant Prosecutor Elyse Deters revealed that the defendant had taken his life.
Kearse’s felony charges included trafficking in persons, importuning, compelling prostitution and compelling prostitution involving a minor.
The charges involved a 16-year-old girl in Cincinatti, who he allegedly gave two vape pens and $15 in exchange for sexual activity, according to an affidavit, obtained by FOX 19. The pair reportedly met in 2025.
PEOPLE reached out to Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser and Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for comment but did not immediately hear back.
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Deters added that the doctor also had cases against him that were about to proceed in Butler County — a claim that was also confirmed by Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser, according to FOX 19.
Credit: Getty
“We had just received the investigation from law enforcement to proceed and were almost immediately notified of the death,” he told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Judge Christopher McDowell told the court that Kearse “escaped justice the hard way," adding that the case against him in Hamilton County would now be dismissed, per the outlet.
According to records from the Butler County Coroner’s Office obtained by PEOPLE, Kearse died from a “gunshot wound” on Friday, March 27 at 5:43 p.m in Trenton. His manner of death was listed as a suicide.
The judge further told the court that he and Deters had wanted Kearse in custody upon his indictment last week, instead of him being free ahead of his court appearance, FOX 19 reported.
Kearse was arrested on March 11 before being given a cashless bond. He was then released from the county jail after making a binding legal pledge, according to records.
He was also ordered not to use social media such as Snapchat at the time of his release.
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