Pastor accused of sex crimes completes suicide during break from trial

Dec 02, 2021 at 04:36 pm by Voice Wire


The man found dead in a parking garage Thursday morning in Murfreesboro has been identified as David Rowan. Rowan appears to have died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the preliminary investigation.

Murfreesboro Police Department officers responded to the Rutherford County Justice Center Parking Garage, 223 Maple Street, around 11:43 a.m. Officers found Rowan deceased from a single gunshot wound.  He was in his car on the second floor of the garage. No foul play is suspected.

The 66-year-old, a Milton, Florida pastor, was on trial this week in Murfreesboro for multiple sex crimes against two teenage girls. He was awaiting a jury’s verdict when the incident occurred.

The case is still under investigation by detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division. 

Rowan's trial was based on a 2014 allegation and subsequent investigation in 2018 by Murfreesboro Police Detective Michael Yates and former detective Tommy Roberts.

According to the police report, Rowan made a trip to Murfreesboro in 2014 to speak at a local church. During his visit, Rowan allegedly took two teenage sisters, 14 and 15 years old, out for a meal and allegedly raped them at a local hotel.

According to police, Rowan had a previous relationship with the family prior to his 2014 visit to Murfreesboro. 

"Both girls made compelling and credible disclosures that Pastor David Rowan had molested them at a local hotel in Murfreesboro in 2014," the report said.




Sections: Crime & Safety