A Washington therapist accused of raping patient found dead in jail cell
Dr. Dean Funabiki was found hanging from the bed in his Whitman County Jail cell, Sunday
Funabiki, 67, a Washington therapist had been arrested Friday, after he turned himself in after being accused of raping his patient in Jan
The alleged victim, a female patient in her 40’s reported that the therapist sexually assaulted her during a therapy session at his office
Investigators matched DNA obtained from the woman’s rape kit to Funabiki’s DNA.
He was facing a second-degree rape charge
Dr. Dean Funabiki was found dead in his jail cell, Sunday officials said. the Washington therapist accused of raping a patient, in Jan
Dean Funabiki a Washington therapist accused of raping a patient was found dead in his jail cell, officials said.
Funabiki, 67, was discovered unresponsive Sunday night hanging from the bed in his Whitman County Jail cell, news station KXLY reported. He was rushed to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
His death came two days after he arrested on suspicion of rape and booked at the jail.
Authorities said a female patient claimed that Funabiki sexually assaulted her last month during a therapy session in his Pullman office.
The victim submitted to a sexual assault examination and a warrant was issued to collect DNA samples from the therapist, according to police.
The Washington State Patrol Crime Lab determined that Funabiki’s DNA positively matched the swabs from the victim.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
“At this time, investigators from the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office will be working jointly with the Whitman County Coroner’s Office to determine cause and manner of death,” Whitman County Sheriff Brett J. Myers said Monday.
Dr. Dean Funabiki, a Pullman based therapist was arrested Friday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female client in January.
The alleged victim, a female patient in her 40’s reported to police that the therapist sexually assaulted her during a therapy session in January, at his office.
Investigators matched DNA obtained from the woman’s rape kit to Funabiki’s DNA.
The suspect’s DNA matched swabs collected from private areas of the victim’s body, consistent with the sexual assault.
Funabiki turned himself in to the Pullman Police Department around 10:30 p.m. Friday, accompanied by his attorney. He was arrested and booked on a charge of second-degree rape and was transported to the Whitman County Jail.
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