BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A suspended teacher on trial over charges of photographing teenage boys in revealing clothing was found dead in a car idling in his garage, authorities said.
Police went to the home of Keith Snyder, 55, after he failed to appear in court Wednesday. Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden announced the death and sent the jury home. She did not provide any other details.
An autopsy was scheduled.
Snyder was suspended from teaching at Southern Lehigh High School shortly after he was charged in 2005 with corruption of minors, solicitation of a minor to pose nude and evidence tampering.
Several teenage boys who were Snyder's former students testified this week that Snyder paid them extra if they performed chores at his home while bare-chested or wearing skimpy bathing suits or wrestling singlets.
"We felt this defendant committed crimes that negatively impacted young boys. Our office vigorously prosecuted the case, but on a human side, whenever a life is lost it is tragic," said District Attorney John Morganelli.
Snyder's attorney, Bohdan Zelechiwsky, declined to comment.
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