Death of Man Accused of Raping Girl is Suspected Suicide

A 52-year-old Willoughby man accused of raping a young girl has died from an apparent suicide.

Frank Vidmar, who was indicted in July on charges that he raped a girl over a five-year period in Lakewood and Kirtland, was found in a shed near Chardon on Aug. 31. 

Authorities suspect his death is a suicide, according to the Plain Dealer.

The girl's mother filed a complaint with the in March, according to the Plain Dealer.

The girl is now 11 years old. 

Powell Caesar, of the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, said that Vidmar’s death is under investigation, but declined to provide details.

“I can’t go into that,” he said, adding that an official ruling is expected soon.

Last month, Vidmar pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and gross sexual imposition.

He was free on bond, set at $50,000 on Aug. 9, according to court records, and was scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 18.

According to the Plain Dealer, Vidmar, who worked as a bus driver for Re-Education Services, had maintained his innocence, even offering to a take a lie-detector test.