THE WOODLANDS, Texas – The Woodlands High School softball coach accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his players was found dead in Port Arthur, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.
According to investigators, Richard Harvey Jorgensen died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was wanted for sexual assault, deputies said.
“It's got to be tragic for them too because they had him as a coach and me being in sports, I know the coach-student relationship (is) a very close one,” said student William Hanson.
Jorgensen was a social studies teacher and the head coach of The Woodlands High School girls’ softball team, but was placed on administrative leave Thursday pending an investigation.
Precinct 3 investigators and Port Arthur police continue to investigate.
Jorgensen was hired by Conroe ISD in August 2004.
“One of our teachers who went to the school, they were like, 'It was a real tragedy and we're all here together, everyone needs to help each other,'” said one student. “You could see in the hallway the look on their face, they had just been very sad.”
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to call the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office at 936-539-7813.