Gerald R. Hechenberger
Gerald R. Hechenberger, 56, a former Catholic priest who served parishes across southern Illinois for 22 years, died on March 6, 2020, at Pinckneyville Community Hospital while held at Pinckneyville Correctional Center. His sister described him as a beautiful person, and parishioners remembered his friendship, pastoral service and singing voice. The Perry County coroner, Paul Searby, withheld a cause of death while awaiting a state investigation that COVID-19 restrictions had delayed, and the Illinois Department of Corrections reported the manner of death as natural. Bishop Edward K. Braxton said he had visited Hechenberger and had serious concerns about his health and well-being, and the family still does not know the cause of death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The Illinois Department of Corrections reported the death as natural causes, while the Perry County coroner had not ruled on a cause and said the investigation did not suggest suspicious circumstances.
Reported by: Illinois Department of Corrections (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.
News reports (4)
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Death in Custody Reports (edition of 2026-07-28)
- Former Mascoutah priest serving time for child porn and meth dies - Belleville News-Democrat
- Coronavirus delays death investigation of Mascoutah priest serving prison sentence - Belleville News-Democrat
- Five months and still no answers for family of incarcerated Mascoutah priest who died - Belleville News-Democrat