Gerard Joseph “Jerry” Howell, a New Orleans Catholic priest accused of prolific sexual abuse of children in the local deaf community, has died at the age of 87. He was found dead at approximately 5pm on 8 September by Austin police officers responding to a welfare check at his senior living community in Texas, following a report that an 87-year-old individual had fallen.
Police stated that emergency medical services personnel arrived to provide aid, but Howell stopped breathing and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Austin medical examiner’s office is working to determine the cause of death, but police have said the case is not being investigated as a homicide.
The Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans reportedly knew of allegations against Howell for at least four decades, continuing to support him. He remained an active priest even after being reported to law enforcement in 1980 and being publicly exposed in 1992. The archdiocese paid his retirement benefits until at least 2020, when a federal judge halted them.
A church spokesperson confirmed the archdiocese learned of Howell’s death later the same week. A webpage listing priests removed from ministry for abuse of a minor was then updated to show him as deceased. Kathleen Austin, a survivor, expressed relief at his death, stating he would no longer be able to harm children.