Central Pa. man dies by suicide as jury mulls verdict in his child abuse trial

A 33-year-old Lebanon man fatally shot himself Wednesday morning, the same day a jury was expected to issue its ruling in his trial on felony charges stemming from abuse of his infant, according to the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office.

Brian Hungler was facing one count of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of children after his infant child suffered serious injuries to their brain, ribs and leg bones on May 16, 2022, according to a news release from the DA. The baby survived, but no updates were available on the child’s prognosis.

Hungler’s trial, prosecuted by the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office, started on Monday, according to online court records.

After the jury heard testimony from several doctors, including Penn State Hershey Medical Center’s Child Protective Team, the DA’s office gave closing remarks on Tuesday. A decision was expected on Wednesday.

However, police responded to Hungler’s home early Wednesday morning for a reported gunshot injury and found him deceased, holding a semi-automatic handgun, with a gunshot wound to his head. The DA’s new release said Hungler’s gunshot wound was consistent with self-inflicted injury.

Emergency medical services unsuccessfully attempted to save Hungler’s life. He was later pronounced dead at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

District Attorney Pier Hess Graf included these comments in the news release from her office:

“In quantifying criminal behavior, abusers of infants are the lowest of the low. The baby suffered daily, unable to speak for himself and cry out against his attacker – his own father. To then take his own life in lieu of facing the jury’s decision is utter cowardice.

“Our office will never be deterred from prosecuting and convicting child killers and child abusers. We will always pursue justice for victims of abuse and violence, even when their perpetrators choose suicide over accountability and facing the consequences of their own actions.”

The Lebanon County Detective Bureau and North Lebanon Township Police are investigating Hungler’s death.

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