US politician commits suicide over sex claims

A day after holding a press conference to deny sexual assault charges, a US Republican politician has been found dead, apparently after taking his own life.

Dan Johnson, 57, a US Republican state politician in Kentucky who defiantly denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, has died in an apparent suicide, the county coroner says. 

Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said Johnson died of a single gunshot wound in Mount Washington, Kentucky. Billings said Johnson stopped his car at the end of a bridge in a secluded area, then got out and walked to the front of the car.

The body of Dan Johnson was found on a bridge in Kentucky

The story accused Johnson, a Republican who was a firm supporter of President Donald Trump, of having molested a member of his church.

The woman said she was aged 17 at the time of the alleged incident in the church basement.
She claimed Johnson crept into the room while she was sleeping beside his daughter and groped and penetrated her against her will.

On Tuesday, Johnson, also the leader of the 'Heart of Fire Church', held a news conference in the pulpit of his church. He said the allegations against him were "totally false" and said they were part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans. He referenced Republican Alabama US Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.

On Wednesday, Johnson posted a message on his Facebook page that asked people to care for his wife. He wrote that PTSD "is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME." The post appears to have been removed.

The sexual assault accusations against Johnson were revealed as a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers was unfolding at the state Capitol.