SOUTHLAND : Doctor in Molest Case Kills Self

A physician scheduled to appear in court today for a preliminary hearing on charges he molested an 11-year-old patient was found dead at his home of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said today.

Dr. John DeKock, 62, was found in the garage of his San Diego Country Estates home in Ramona late Monday with a gunshot wound to his head, Deputy Coroner Cal Vine said.

The doctor was still holding a .38-caliber pistol when his body was discovered by his son-in-law, John Schneider, authorities said.

No suicide note or other statement was found.

DeKock had been scheduled to undergo a preliminary hearing today on charges that he sexually molested the boy over a four-year period.

After DeKock’s arrest on May 5, authorities reportedly found thousands of pornographic photographs, most of them of the 11-year-old boy, during a search of his office.

Sheriff’s detectives said they received several calls after DeKock was arrested from adults who said they also had been molested by the doctor years ago.

DeKock had been charged with 23 counts of child molestation and child exploitation. DeKock had pleaded innocent to all counts at an earlier hearing and was released on bail May 11.

The doctor was registered as a sex offender because of a 1961 conviction for molesting a San Diego boy, but had been allowed to continue practicing medicine until his arrest last month.