A former Kenai church leader accused of sexually abusing or assaulting multiple underage girls died in Alaska Department of Corrections custody last week.
Alaska State Troopers say 45-year-old Aaron “Scott” Merritt was found unresponsive in his cell at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on Nov. 21 and was pronounced dead five days later. Troopers say a preliminary investigation determined Merritt had self-inflicted injuries. His death came less than a month after he was taken into custody.
A Kenai Grand Jury indicted Merritt on 20 felony counts of sexual assault and abuse of a minor in late October. Last month, Merritt pleaded not guilty to the charges…