Man Charged in Death of St. Clair Teen

A St. Clair area man is facing a manslaughter charge in the death of his girlfriend’s son early Friday.

Prosecuting Attorney Bob Parks issued a felony complaint shortly before noon on Friday charging Richard A. Sears, 41, 1132 Highway TT, with involuntary manslaughter. Parks requested a $50,000 cash-only bond in the case.

Sheriff Gary Toelke said the suspect came home intoxicated at about 2 a.m. Friday, June 8, and got into an argument with his long-term girlfriend. The victim, 18-year-old Matthew Indelicato, intervened and was struck during a physical confrontation, the sheriff said.

The teen then suffered an extreme asthma attack and stopped breathing, according to the sheriff’s report.

Parks said an autopsy disclosed that the trauma caused Indelicato to go into asthmatic shock which resulted in his death.  

Emergency crews responded to the scene along with deputies and St. Clair police but the teen was unresponsive when they arrived.   

Indelicato was taken to Mercy Hospital Washington where he was pronounced dead, the sheriff said.

Toelke said his department is conducting a further investigation into the case.

The residence is located just outside the St. Clair city limits.