UPDATE: Police can’t verify dead teacher’s claim that he sexually abused 15 youths

WHITTEMORE, MI – A northern Michigan school district has released an edited version of an email sent by one of its teachers to colleagues expressing remorse for having sexually abused 15 boys. The teacher, who subsequently died by suicide, warns coworkers to be vigilant.

“Let this be a reminder that you really NEVER know the people around you,” wrote 24-year-old Kevin Schutte. “Many people who’ve known me for years would never believe I’d do such a thing as I did; always check, always verify, you never know what someone’s hidden intentions might be."

Schutte was hired in August by Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools as a music teacher and band leader.

Those named as abuse victims in Schutte’s email are not students of the district, Superintendent Joseph Perrera and police have confirmed.

Schutte sent the email on Sunday, Jan. 6. MLive and The Bay City Times obtained a redacted copy of the email on Tuesday through the Michigan Freedom on Information Act.

About 8 p.m. Sunday, Arenac County Sheriff’s deputies responded to his Turner Township home after numerous school employees called 911 to report having received the email. Upon arrival, deputies found Schutte dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In his email, Schutte listed the names of 15 people he said he sexually abused. Police have yet to confirm anyone was victimized by Schutte and are reaching out to those he named.

“Many may not remember the abuse as it was a long time ago and some of them may have even slept through it,” Schutte wrote. “Others still may have convinced themselves that what occurred was ‘consensual’ even though their ‘participation’ was brought about by heavy coercion.”

He goes on to state his hope that someone will contact the named individuals to see if they need counseling or help.

“The focus here should be undoing my damage once I’m gone,” Schutte wrote. “If there are any names I’ve forgotten, I’m truly sorry, but after racking my brain pretty hard, this is all I could come up with in terms of boys that that I actually touched, as opposed to simply watched at opportune times.”

The email continues with Schutte saying some victims may be reluctant to step forward.

"(N)ever underestimate the ability of sex abuse victims’ ability to keep quiet, because so many take it to their grave, I don’t know if you or anyone ever would’ve found out if it weren’t for my crisis of conscience in these final acts.”

Perrera said there was no indication Schutte was suicidal or had a history of sexual abuse.

“There were absolutely zero red flags from our perspective,” Perrera said. “We followed our policies, procedures, and protocol for hiring.”

Schutte may have had a traffic ticket on his record. In his application process, he self-reported that he had gotten into some kind of trouble involving marijuana while a freshman or sophomore in college, Perrera said.

“He didn’t have to report that, but he did,” Perrera said. “That’s all he had. There was nothing there.”

Schutte began working at the school in the fall, having previously graduated from Au Gres-Sims High School in 2012. He served as the Whittemore-Prescott district’s band/choir director and music teacher.

Perrera lauded Schutte for getting the band program started again after an eight-year hiatus.

“He literally had to come in and start from ground zero, inventorying the instruments, getting them repaired in the summer, getting the kids tested for their instruments,” Perrera said. “The kids were excited. It’s a great program and we’re going to find a way to continue band and choir. It’s essential for kids to learn music.”

Perrera said he received no complaints from students, parents, or staff regarding Schutte, adding he was friendly and got along with everyone.

Perrera on Monday notified staff face-to-face of Schutte’s death and provided them with a letter to read to their students.

“We’re a school family,” he said. “I didn’t want rumors getting out there. I wanted the kids to hear it from us.”

Counselors, social workers, mental health professionals, and local clergy were on-hand at the schools to help students and staff, Perrera said. Classes were canceled Tuesday due to weather, but if they resume Wednesday, counselors will again be on-hand.

“In situations like this, there are no school boundaries,” Perrera said. “We’re all one big, educational community. The staff was unbelievably professional. They responded like champions. Providing support for kids and staff is vital.”

In concluding his email, Schutte encouraged his colleagues to keep the music programs alive.

“I may be evil, but one of the things that kept me alive after realizing how truly horrific my actions were was the power of music and the belief that I could begin got make amends for what I’d done if I spent my professional energies educating children in music,” he wrote. “I will never become the type of music teacher your community deserves. Find someone else, lots of people can do what I do musically, but a school like yours needs someone who can STAY and build a legacy.

“I’m sorry it wasn’t me,” he signed off just above his first name.