A 93-year-old former Catholic priest, Lawrence Hecker, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a teenage boy, has died, officials confirmed on Friday. Hecker, who had been convicted of multiple counts including aggravated rape and aggravated kidnapping, passed away at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center on December 26, just eight days following his sentencing on December 18.
According to Ken Pastorick, communications director for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Hecker died of natural causes shortly after being transferred to the prison. He had pleaded guilty just days before his sentencing, avoiding what was expected to be a long-delayed trial due to questions surrounding his mental competency. Diagnostic tests had shown Hecker was suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The survivor of Hecker's assault, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed mixed feelings upon hearing the news of Hecker's death. “I can’t find any words of kindness for his passing,” the victim stated through his attorney, Richard Trahant. “The words ‘may he rest in peace’ are so hollow. He received man’s justice, had his freedom taken away for 15 months, now the only prayer I can come up with: I hope he spends eternity in hell after God's judgment of him.”
Hecker had previously been ordained as a priest in 1958 and continued to serve even after complaints of child molestation surfaced as far back as the late 1980s. Throughout his lengthy career, he allegedly had unfettered access to young boys, as many accusations were ignored or disbelieved by authorities within the church.
District Attorney Jason Williams remarked on the importance of Hecker’s guilty plea, stating, “Hecker’s measure of earthly justice was certainly not enough for his crimes. It seems his maker was anxious to meet him after there was no longer any question about his guilt here.” Williams credited the bravery of survivors who brought the truth to light, saying they were “the most courageous people I have ever met.”
The Archdiocese of New Orleans, embroiled currently in bankruptcy negotiations stemming from hundreds of claims of clerical sexual abuse, released a statement expressing hope for healing among survivors. “We hope and pray his death will bring closure and peace to the survivors,” said Sarah McDonald, the diocese’s Director of Communications.
Hecker’s indictment came nearly 50 years after the assault took place. During the sentencing hearing, three victims testified against Hecker, detailing their harrowing experiences, one of whom described how Hecker had choked and raped him as he attempted to practice wrestling maneuvers for school tryouts.
John Anderson, a survivor’s advocate, pointed to the mixed emotions surrounding Hecker’s death and conviction. “Any justice at this point has to be looked at as a win for the survivors. But at the same time, it took so long; he lived many years unpunished,” Anderson lamented.
Hecker was slated to serve his life sentence at Angola State Penitentiary but instead spent his last days at Elayn Hunt after undergoing health screenings. His rapid decline came just after he pleaded guilty to first-degree rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated crime against nature, and theft.
Information from investigations indicated potentially broader issues within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with claims of hiding abuses and inadequate responses throughout the years. The case against Hecker helped spur investigations targeting the systemic handling of abuse allegations within the church and highlighted the struggles many survivors face as they seek justice.
The survivor who reported Hecker, having endured psychological repercussions from the abuse, also echoed feelings of vindication upon learning of Hecker’s death. “After his passing, I feel vindicated and free,” he said through his representative.
Hecker’s case was particularly notable as it marked the rare prosecution of a priest within the powerful New Orleans archdiocese, which has long faced scrutiny for its handling of sexual abuse allegations. According to national studies, only 3% of abuse allegations against clergy are ever brought to trial, making Hecker’s convictions all the more significant.
The emotions surrounding Hecker's passing remain raw for many, as survivors and advocates now look toward the future, hoping for accountability for not only Hecker but also for those who failed to act on the allegations during his tenure as priest. While the legal chapter concerning Hecker may have closed with his death, the quest for justice continues within the broader community.
