LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – A Longview physician who recently admitted guilt in a child sex abuse case was found dead on Tuesday, just days before his scheduled sentencing.
Matt Elza Hipke, 62, had pleaded guilty on April 2 to aggravated sexual assault of a child. On Tuesday, investigators with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office located his body in the Bella Terra subdivision in north Longview.
Officials pronounced Hipke dead at the scene. While no cause of death has been released, authorities confirmed that there is no threat to public safety. An autopsy has been ordered.
Hipke faced multiple serious charges stemming from alleged offenses dating back to 2017. These included continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, indecency with a child, and aggravated sexual assault. His sentencing for the aggravated charge had been scheduled for Friday.
The investigation into his death is ongoing.
