By AP/KWMU
St. Louis – The founder of a charity who faced federal charges in a fraud case has committed suicide.
A jury in St. Louis was deliberating the fate of Lou Sengheiser, who started Gateway to a Cure, which raises money for spinal cord research.
U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said Sengheiser's body was found Thursday at the charity's headquarters. He died from a gunshot wound to the chest at age 58.
He was accused of taking more than $300,000 from the charity for personal use.
Sengheiser said in court he bought tickets to his own charity's raffles under assumed names and won twice.