A Catholic priest under investigation for the sexual abuse of a young girl is suspected to have taken his own life after being confronted by the child’s mother.

Popular and well-known parish priest Father Joseph Tran, pictured, who worked as a chaplain at several Catholic Perth schools, was found dead by police on Thursday.

WA Police confirmed to The Weekend West that it was the same day police had launched an investigation into an allegation of child sexual abuse by a priest from a southern suburbs Catholic Church.

Camera Icon St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Armadale where Father Tran was the parish priest. Credit: Google

Father Joseph was accused of abusing the girl, who is now 13, over several years. It is understood her mother confronted him this week after the alleged abuse came to light.

The 49-year-old had been the parish priest at Armadale’s St Francis Xavier for the past year after 15 years at Whitfords Parish.

The Archdiocese of Perth and the Catholic Education Office refused to comment on the abuse allegations or Father Tran’s death.

Read the full investigation in The Weekend West.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.