Former Solehi Student, Previously Arrested for Heroin, Dies

A former Southern Lehigh student passed away this weekend. 

William Gingrich, 21, of Coopersburg died Sunday May 20 after police found him unresponsive in his Main St. home. 

According to a 2010 Express-Times article, a then 19 year-old William Gingrich of Main St. in Coopersburg was arrested for attempting to sell heroin at Southern Lehigh High School. Assistant principal John Zuk stopped Gingrich before he entered, finding two packets containing .03 grams of heroin in his pocket. 

A Morning Call article says Gingrich was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin, and receiving stolen property. At that time, Gingrich was sentenced to a 22-month residential treatment program, one-year probation, and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to stay away from Southern Lehigh High School.

Court records show that Gingrich was sentenced in January 2010. In October 2010, Lehigh County Judge Kelly L. Banach issued a probation arrest warrant for Gingrich. In January 2012, Banach scheduled a Gagnon II hearing to determine if Gingrich was in violation of his probation. 

According to Lehigh County coroner Scott Grim's office, the exact cause of death is pending toxicology reports. The report is expected in 8-10 weeks.