Rev. Bryan Fulwider, a former Winter Park minister facing dozens of charges of sexual battery against a minor, is dead, police said. Officials with the Winter Park Police Department said they’ve been informed that Fulwider has died, but they did not say how he died. Police said the death does appear to be a suicide but are waiting for the medical examiner to be certain.A statement sent to First Congregational Church of Winter Park members Monday said that “Bryan Fulwider took his own life early this morning at his home.”"Our church family is in shock and we are trying to absorb the impact of all the events that have transpired in recent weeks," a statement from Rev. Shawn Garvey, First Congregational Church of Winter Park senior minister, said. Fulwider was arrested earlier this month after being accused of raping a teenage girl between 2005 and 2010, while he served as senior pastor at the First Congregational Church in Winter Park. He was a co-host of popular WMFE radio show "Friends Talking Faith with the Three Wise Guys." His death comes just over a week after he was released from jail on bond. Fulwider's attorney responded to news of his death by saying he was dealing with heartache.His attorney was also critical of the attention the case received, saying much of what was said amounted to a rush to judgement rather than waiting for Fulwider to have his day in court.

Rev. Bryan Fulwider, a former Winter Park minister facing dozens of charges of sexual battery against a minor, is dead, police said.

Officials with the Winter Park Police Department said they’ve been informed that Fulwider has died, but they did not say how he died.


Police said the death does appear to be a suicide but are waiting for the medical examiner to be certain.

A statement sent to First Congregational Church of Winter Park members Monday said that “Bryan Fulwider took his own life early this morning at his home.”

"Our church family is in shock and we are trying to absorb the impact of all the events that have transpired in recent weeks," a statement from Rev. Shawn Garvey, First Congregational Church of Winter Park senior minister, said.

Fulwider was arrested earlier this month after being accused of raping a teenage girl between 2005 and 2010, while he served as senior pastor at the First Congregational Church in Winter Park.

He was a co-host of popular WMFE radio show "Friends Talking Faith with the Three Wise Guys."

His death comes just over a week after he was released from jail on bond.

Fulwider's attorney responded to news of his death by saying he was dealing with heartache.

His attorney was also critical of the attention the case received, saying much of what was said amounted to a rush to judgement rather than waiting for Fulwider to have his day in court.